Burnol, Boroline and poll heat: Kolkata election officer's post sparks row, then vanishes

KOLKATA: After stirring a controversy over its ‘Burnol' post, the Kolkata South district election officer on Wednesday withdrew it.

In a statement, also on social media, the DEO South said: "To instil voter confidence and for making all of us laugh amidst the electioneering in this sweltering heat, DEO Kolkata South posted a message which may not have been taken in the right spirit by some. On this joyous occasion of Poila Baisakh, the post is being taken down. It was never intended to hurt sentiments of anyone of our dearest dear voters. Shubho Nabo Barsho."



The post warned lawbreakers to keep an adequate stock of ‘Burnol' and ‘Boroline', warning that otherwise the "heat will be so intense that they will burn".

The April 12 DEO South post also read: "And anyone obstructing our mission will be dealt with by the heavy hand of law where even Burnol and Boroline won't help. Yours, DEO South Kolkata." It also went on to upload a song from Aamir Khan-and Madhuri Dixit-starrer ‘Dil'.

CM Mamata Banerjee responded on Tuesday, "It is very hot now, have ice cream, keep yourself cool."

The EC had asked the DEO South to explain why such a post was made after Trinamool lodged a plaint with CEO against the DEO.

Former Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale kept up the heat on EC on this issue even on Wednesday. He asked whether the EC endorsed such statements from its officials.


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