New Delhi: The INDIA bloc on Saturday held a mock public impeachment programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, which were organised as part of the Opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission.
The programme was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed by a day after rain disrupted plans in the national capital. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced the change, saying the decision had been taken unanimously to avoid inconvenience to senior leaders due to the weather.
The symbolic proceedings brought together leaders from several INDIA bloc parties, who accused the Election Commission of failing to function independently and raised concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Kharge Accuses CEC of Acting on Modi, Shah’s Instructions
Addressing the gathering, Kharge accused Gyanesh Kumar of functioning under the direct instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that the Election Commission was no longer acting independently and said the Opposition’s initiative was aimed at protecting the credibility of a key constitutional institution.
Kharge claimed that 193 Opposition MPs had submitted notices in both Houses of Parliament seeking the CEC’s removal around seven months ago. However, he alleged that the notices were rejected without being taken into consideration.
“CEC Gyanesh Kumar is running the Commission under the direct instructions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Seven months ago, 193 Opposition MPs moved a motion in both Houses of Parliament to remove the CEC. However, our notices were rejected, and no cognisance was taken of them. Therefore, the motion we have brought forward today is aimed at safeguarding the dignity of a constitutional institution,” he said.
‘We Have No Personal Grudge Against CEC’: Kharge
Clarifying the Opposition’s position, Kharge said the campaign was not driven by personal hostility towards the Chief Election Commissioner. He maintained that the INDIA bloc wanted the poll body to function impartially and uphold the constitutional principles governing elections.
“We hold no personal grudge against the CEC. Our intention is for the Election Commission to function impartially, in line with the spirit of the Constitution, so that the common man’s trust in it remains intact,” Kharge said.
He also alleged that eligible voters, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sections, women and young people, were at risk of being removed from electoral rolls.
“We must ensure that the voting rights of vulnerable sections, women, and the youth are not surreptitiously deleted from a computer by someone sitting in Delhi,” he added.
Kharge further raised concerns over alleged voter deletions and said the Election Commission must retain public confidence by ensuring that citizens can exercise their democratic rights without interference.
Kharge Targets BJP Over ‘Vote Theft’ Allegations
The Congress president also launched an attack on the BJP-led government, accusing it of using political and investigative developments to retain power since 2014.
“Since 2014, every possible conspiracy has been hatched to seize and retain power. They have stolen MPs, broken up political parties, toppled governments, and used electoral bonds, the ED, and the CBI, and now they are stealing votes,” he alleged.
Kharge linked the Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
He claimed that the law had given Election Commissioners excessive protection and weakened the institution’s accountability. He also questioned its passage in December 2023, alleging that it was cleared after 145 Opposition MPs had been suspended from Parliament.
“We have hundreds of examples of such vote theft. Gyanesh Kumar is able to facilitate this theft due to the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act. This bill was passed in December 2023 after suspending 145 opposition MPs. It is shameful and a disgrace,” Kharge said.
He further alleged that the law provided Election Commissioners with a level of protection that was not even available to the President or the Chief Justice of India.
Meira Kumar Calls Voter the ‘Soul of Democracy’
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who presided over the mock proceedings, stressed the importance of protecting voting rights and maintaining public trust in India’s electoral system.
She said India’s democratic framework was followed by several countries and that every eligible citizen must have the opportunity to participate in elections.
“The voter is the focal point of the entire electoral process. If even a single voter is denied the right to cast their vote, it strikes a blow to the very soul of our democracy. Preventing someone from voting inflicts harm upon our democracy,” she said.
Meira Kumar also said the INDIA bloc would convene a meeting to take forward its proposed parliamentary motion seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. Kharge, as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, is expected to move the motion in the Upper House.
Rahul Gandhi Calls for ‘Chalo Dilli’ March Ahead of November 1 Rally
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi appealed to political parties, civil society representatives and members of the public to join the INDIA bloc’s proposed march in Delhi on November 1.
Gandhi said the march would begin at 12 noon from the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place, proceed towards Ajmeri Gate and culminate at Ramlila Maidan, where the Opposition’s rally is scheduled to take place.
However, the proposed procession has raised questions over police clearance. Delhi Police sources said no application had been submitted seeking permission for a march from Connaught Place. The police have, however, granted permission for the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan.
The mock impeachment programme is a symbolic Opposition exercise and does not itself constitute a formal parliamentary proceeding to remove the Chief Election Commissioner.