New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc on Saturday held a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during a mock Parliament session in New Delhi, accusing him of electoral irregularities and demanding his immediate removal from office, along with a trial for treason.
The unusual political event took place at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, which were attended by several prominent Opposition leaders, Members of Parliament and civil society representatives.
The resolution against Gyanesh Kumar was moved by Kharge and subsequently passed unanimously through a voice vote. The Opposition said it was left with no choice but to organise the symbolic exercise after its attempts to raise concerns through institutional channels failed.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the Election Commission and accused it of compromising the country's democratic process. He said the Opposition would continue its fight to protect the Constitution and the voting rights of citizens.
"We are left with no choice but to do this," Rahul Gandhi said, describing the exercise as a political weapon to demand accountability.
The INDIA bloc listed six major allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner in its resolution:
* Election manipulation: Alleged involvement in a conspiracy to influence national and state elections.
* Voter deletions: Responsibility for the alleged deletion of around 13.2 crore voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
* Form 6 changes: Allegedly changing rules relating to new voter registration without parliamentary approval.
* Control over voter rolls: Allegedly centralising control of electoral rolls through the ECINET and related digital systems.
* Excluding commissioners: Allegedly sidelining the other two Election Commissioners from important decisions.
* Constitutional violations: Allegedly acting in favour of the ruling BJP and denying the Opposition a fair opportunity to raise concerns.
These allegations were presented by the Opposition as grounds for Kumar's removal and prosecution. However, they remain political allegations and have not been established through a judicial finding.
Rahul Gandhi Issues Warning
During his concluding remarks, Rahul Gandhi warned that the Opposition would not allow the matter to end without accountability. He argued that the deletion of voters from electoral rolls raised serious questions about the fairness of elections and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the government's handling of the SIR exercise. He alleged that the process was being used to remove eligible voters and undermine the constitutional right to vote.
BJP Hits Back at Opposition
The BJP strongly criticised the mock Parliament proceedings, dismissing them as political theatrics. Party leaders accused the Congress of attempting to create confusion and undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.
BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan described the exercise as an attempt to spread misleading narratives. Other BJP leaders also took aim at Rahul Gandhi, questioning the Opposition's decision to conduct a symbolic parliamentary session outside the actual Parliament.
The public impeachment programme was organised ahead of the INDIA bloc's major protest rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The rally is part of the Opposition's wider campaign against alleged voter manipulation and irregularities in the SIR process.
Importantly, the event was symbolic and did not constitute a formal constitutional impeachment or removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The INDIA bloc's resolution reflects its political position and demands, while Gyanesh Kumar continues to hold the office.
The confrontation has added another chapter to the ongoing political dispute between the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Opposition over the Election Commission's functioning and the revision of electoral rolls.
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