Top opposition leaders are slated to gather at a mock assembly in New Delhi on October 30 to deliver a public verdict demanding the poll chief’s removal
In an unprecedented political move, the opposition INDIA bloc has announced a symbolic “public impeachment proceeding” against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30. The decision marks a sharp escalation in the alliance’s agitation against the Election Commission of India over alleged voter list manipulation and controversial changes to electoral roll rules.
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal confirmed that top opposition parliamentarians and alliance leaders will gather at a mock assembly in New Delhi to deliver a public verdict demanding the poll chief’s removal.
Allegations of Voter Deletion and Demand for Immunity Repeal
The public impeachment event stems from escalating friction between the poll panel and opposition parties, who accuse the commission of facilitating mass voter deletions and arbitrary electoral roll modifications during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha’s Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have repeatedly demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, alleging systemic “vote theft”.
A key flashpoint remains Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. The opposition has stridently demanded the repeal of the provision, arguing that granting legal immunity to election commissioners for official duties shields top poll officials from institutional accountability.
BJP: Political Anarchy and Defeatism
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly condemned the opposition’s public trial plans, dismissing the agitation as an attempt to undermine democratic institutions. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the INDIA bloc and Rahul Gandhi of spreading confusion, lies, and deceit because they are unable to accept electoral realities.
Patra stated that the opposition is attempting to manufacture anarchy by repeatedly attacking constitutional bodies, including the judiciary, the armed forces, and now the Election Commission. The ruling party maintained that the poll panel functions independently within constitutional limits and accused the Congress of staging political stunts to keep its leadership relevant.