New Delhi, Oct 30: The INDIA bloc will hold a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, protesting alleged irregularities in the electoral process and raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The proceedings will begin at 3:30 PM at 10, Rajaji Marg, with former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar chairing the event. Kharge is expected to move the symbolic motion against the CEC, while senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding remarks before the motion is put to a vote.
INDIA Bloc Leaders Finalise Protest Plan
INDIA bloc leaders met on Thursday to finalise the arrangements for the event. Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal participated in the preparatory meeting, along with Meira Kumar and representatives of other opposition parties.
Among those present were Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Maji and CPI(M) leader John Brittas.
Invitations have also been sent to INDIA bloc MPs to participate in the symbolic proceedings. Apart from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, one representative from each participating party is expected to address the gathering.
Congress Accuses CEC of Undermining Electoral Democracy
The Congress has accused Gyanesh Kumar of failing to uphold the constitutional principles governing elections and has questioned his handling of electoral roll revisions.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh earlier alleged that the CEC had violated the letter and spirit of the Constitution, undermined the foundations of electoral democracy and misled the Supreme Court.
Ramesh also launched a political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the CEC was acting in their interests.
These allegations form part of the opposition’s broader campaign demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
Opposition Demands CEC’s Resignation
The Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On Tuesday, the Congress claimed it had been denied permission to hold the proposed public impeachment event. The party accused the government of attempting to silence public voices after allegedly undermining the electoral system.
The planned event is a symbolic political protest and does not constitute a formal impeachment proceeding under the Constitution.
The INDIA bloc’s move is expected to intensify the political confrontation between the opposition and the government over electoral transparency, the Election Commission’s functioning and the integrity of India’s democratic process.
