# Bengal BJP chief says Gyanesh Kumar deserves Padma Bhushan amid EC row

2026-09-26T05:31:28+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya has said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar deserves the Padma Bhushan for his role in the state assembly election and for cleaning the electoral roll by removing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. His remarks came amid a growing row over the Election Commission's functioning, after reports that two election commissioners objected to decisions taken during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Election Commission has said differing views are part of normal deliberation and all final decisions were unanimous. Congress leader Pawan Khera mocked Bhattacharya, saying, 'Make him the Prime Minister.' The Congress has held nationwide protests demanding Kumar's removal, and a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the EC's poll-related orders.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

NDTV and Times Now report Bhattacharya's praise without editorial comment, while Times of India leads with Congress's sarcastic retort, framing the story as political sparring. The BJP's defence of Kumar as a neutral administrator contrasts with the Opposition's narrative of a partisan EC. None of the sources interrogate Bhattacharya's claims about Bangladeshi infiltrators or the violence-free election. The Supreme Court petition and Congress protests are the concrete developments to watch. The Supreme Court will hear the plea challenging the EC's poll-related orders. The Congress protests and calls for Kumar's removal continue. The Election Commission has not responded to the allegations.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-row-bengal-bjp-chief-says-gyanesh-kumar-deserves-padma-bhushan-for-sir-12099590>
  Reports Bhattacharya's praise without analysis or context.
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/sir-row-cec-exit-calls-yet-bengal-bjp-pitches-padma-bhushan-for-gyanesh-kumar-article-156227751>
  Straight report of the remark and the EC controversy.
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/padma-bhushan-small-thing-make-him-pm-cong-mocks-bjp-bengal-chiefs-praise-for-cec/articleshow/134498800.cms>
  Leads with Congress's response, but stays factual.

Tags: BJP, Election Commission of India, Gyanesh Kumar, Padma Bhushan, Samik Bhattacharya, West Bengal
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