India bloc shifts Gyanesh Kumar's 'people's impeachment' to Kharge's home after permission hurdles

The INDIA bloc will hold a symbolic “people’s impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Friday, after the Opposition was denied permission to organise the proposed event at other venues.

The proceedings, scheduled for 3.30pm at 10, Rajaji Marg, will be part of the Opposition’s campaign against alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The event will also serve as a build-up to the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.

According to Hindustan Times, the scripted proceedings will be presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Kharge is expected to move the resolution against Kumar, while Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding address before the motion is adopted.

The Opposition has also invited INDIA bloc MPs, civil society representatives, student leaders and people who claim their names were deleted from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise.

Why The Opposition Changed Its Plan

The INDIA bloc had initially planned to organise a mock Parliament session, recreating parliamentary proceedings to put the CEC on trial symbolically. However, the format was subsequently changed to a “people’s impeachment” to avoid any possibility of the exercise being construed as a breach of parliamentary privilege.

NDTV reported that the Opposition decided against recreating a formal parliamentary session and instead opted for a public platform where political leaders and affected voters could put forward their allegations against the Election Commission.

The venue was also shifted after the Opposition’s attempts to organise the programme at Ashoka Hotel and Ramlila Maidan ran into permission hurdles.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had earlier announced that the INDIA bloc would hold the programme at Kharge’s residence, accusing the CEC of violating the Constitution and undermining the foundations of electoral democracy.

The Congress had alleged that Ashoka Hotel initially granted permission for the event but withdrew it following police intervention. The party subsequently sought to move the programme to Ramlila Maidan, where it had planned a larger protest.

What Will Happen At The Proceedings?

According to reports, the programme will follow a structured format, with Kharge initiating the proceedings and Meira Kumar chairing them. Rahul Gandhi is expected to deliver the concluding remarks.

The event will bring together representatives of Opposition parties, civil society members and voters who have raised concerns over deletions from electoral rolls.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the discussions would focus on issues related to the SIR and alleged vote theft. Speaking after a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders at Kharge’s residence on Thursday, Gogoi said the exercise would highlight people’s concerns and send out a message of Opposition unity.

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also said leaders had discussed the sequence and details of the proposed public impeachment. According to The Tribune, more than 30 speakers are expected to participate, with representatives from Opposition parties and other groups putting forward their views.

Opposition’s ‘Vote Chori’ Campaign

The symbolic proceedings come amid an escalating confrontation between the Congress and other INDIA bloc parties and the Election Commission over the SIR exercise.

The Opposition has accused the poll body of allowing irregularities in electoral rolls and demanded accountability from CEC Gyanesh Kumar. It has also sought his resignation, alleging that decisions taken during the revision exercise have undermined electoral democracy.

The INDIA bloc has previously met President Droupadi Murmu to raise its concerns and demand action against the CEC. The Congress has also raised questions over the legal framework governing the removal of the CEC and Election Commissioners, including provisions of the 2023 law.

The public impeachment is intended to give the Opposition a platform to consolidate its allegations and take the campaign beyond Parliament and political rallies.

The exercise will be followed by the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, where opposition leaders are expected to intensify their campaign against alleged electoral irregularities.