New Delhi, Oct 31 The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Saturday criticised the INDIA bloc’s symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling it a political “spectacle” and asserting that his removal can only be pursued through constitutionally prescribed procedures.
LJP (RV) national spokesperson Ritesh Kumar told PTI that the INDIA bloc is entitled to question the Election Commission, but it should do so responsibly and through established democratic processes.
“The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) strongly disagrees with the INDIA bloc’s symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The removal of a Chief Election Commissioner is governed by constitutional procedures; it is not decided through a public demonstration or political spectacle” he said.
“Electoral institutions must be protected from both undue political pressure and unsupported allegations,” he added.
The remarks came after the INDIA bloc held a symbolic “public impeachment” of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), alleging that the right to vote is under threat as the poll panel is functioning at the behest of the Modi government.
The proceedings, presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, were held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. Moving the motion, Kharge accused CEC Kumar of treason while reading out the “charges” against him and demanded his removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners and an end to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Kumar said Kharge’s use of the word “treason” is an exceptionally serious accusation.
“Such claims should be supported by evidence and pursued through the appropriate legal and constitutional channels — not used as political rhetoric. Disagreement with the Election Commission’s decisions does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing,” he told PTI.
He said concerns about the SIR exercise and the appointment of the CEC should be addressed through the lawful process.
“The LJP(R) believes that concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) should be examined transparently and addressed through lawful procedures. Calls to halt the process or amend the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC should be debated on their merits, with due regard for institutional independence and constitutional safeguards,” he said.
(PTI News)
