Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, leaders from several political parties including the TMC, BJP, Congress and Left met the Election Commission’s full bench in Kolkata to discuss poll preparedness. In a rare point of agreement, most parties urged the poll body to hold the elections in one or at most two phases and ensure strong deployment of Central Armed Police Forces. The Election Commission assured that it would take all necessary steps to conduct free and fair polls. However, political tensions surfaced after the Trinamool Congress alleged intimidation of officials during the meeting, while Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also faced protests and black flags during a temple visit in Kolkata.