INDIA bloc holds symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

New Delhi :

The Opposition INDIA bloc on Saturday held a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of compromising the independence of the Election Commission and mishandling the revision of electoral rolls. The event, organised as a mock parliamentary proceeding at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi, comes a day before the bloc’s planned march to Ramlila Maidan against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

The proceedings were presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Kharge initiated the motion against the CEC, listing six charges against him. Leaders from several Opposition parties and civil society representatives participated in the event, which concluded with the INDIA bloc unanimously adopting a resolution seeking Kumar’s removal.

The exercise was symbolic and did not constitute a formal impeachment or removal proceeding under the Constitution. The Opposition had earlier submitted notices in Parliament seeking the CEC’s removal, but these were rejected by the presiding authorities of both Houses.

The INDIA bloc has alleged that the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise has undermined the voting rights of eligible citizens. Opposition parties have questioned the deletion and revision of names in electoral rolls and accused the poll panel of acting in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They have demanded Kumar’s resignation and called for a halt to the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission has maintained that the revision is intended to identify and remove duplicate and ineligible entries from electoral rolls, while providing a process through which eligible voters can seek the inclusion of their names.

‘Chalo Dilli’ march on Sunday

The symbolic proceedings are part of a wider Opposition campaign that will culminate in a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called on INDIA bloc parties and citizens to join the “Chalo Dilli” march, which is scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and proceed towards Ramlila Maidan.

The rally is expected to bring together leaders and workers from several Opposition parties under the broader campaign against alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in electoral rolls. Gandhi has said the protest is aimed at protecting democracy, safeguarding the right to vote and defending the Constitution. He has also appealed to student groups to participate, irrespective of their political affiliations.

The march was originally planned alongside the public impeachment event, but the latter was postponed by a day because of heavy rain in the national capital. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced the revised schedule on Friday.

Delhi Police have made extensive security arrangements for Sunday’s gathering. Additional personnel, Central Armed Police Forces and CCTV surveillance are expected to be deployed around the rally venue and along the route. Police officials have said they are coordinating with the organisers to ensure that the event passes off peacefully.

The Opposition’s campaign has intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over decisions concerning the SIR process and electoral-roll management. The reports have added to questions raised by Opposition parties about the functioning of the Election Commission.

The BJP has criticised the INDIA bloc’s symbolic proceedings, questioning the legitimacy of what it describes as a mock impeachment outside Parliament. The ruling party has also defended the Election Commission against the Opposition’s allegations.

With the public impeachment event concluded, attention now shifts to Sunday’s rally. The INDIA bloc hopes to turn its criticism of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise into a broader public mobilisation around electoral integrity and voting rights.