INDIA bloc to stage symbolic ‘impeachment’ of CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge’s residence

Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc will hold a mock Parliament session at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Friday, October 30, to stage a symbolic “impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The programme is intended to intensify their campaign against the Election Commission ahead of a major protest rally scheduled for November 1.

The proceedings will take place at 3.30 pm at 10, Rajaji Marg, after the Opposition said it was denied permission to organise the event at the Ashoka Hotel and subsequently at Ramlila Maidan. Congress leaders have alleged that the venue changes are part of an attempt to restrict their political mobilisation.

Kharge to move resolution, Rahul Gandhi to deliver closing speech

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will preside over the mock parliamentary proceedings. Kharge will move the resolution against Kumar, after which other participants will be invited to speak. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver the concluding speech against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Congress had initially considered having three MPs enact the proceedings, but the party leadership subsequently reconsidered the format. It is also unclear whether participants will take on the roles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Gyanesh Kumar during the exercise.

A senior Congress leader said the party had initially approached former Supreme Court judges and legal experts to participate, but at least five former judges declined the invitation.

The event is expected to bring together Opposition MPs, political leaders, civil society representatives, student leaders and people who say their names have been deleted from electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Those affected by the revision are expected to share their experiences alongside arguments from political representatives and legal experts.

Venue dispute ahead of November 1 rally

The Opposition’s decision to move the programme to Kharge’s residence followed unsuccessful attempts to organise it at two other venues. Congress leaders said permission to hold the session at the Ashoka Hotel was denied and that they were subsequently unable to stage it at Ramlila Maidan, where the alliance is preparing for a large protest on November 1.

Congress leaders have accused the authorities of obstructing their campaign and restricting the Opposition’s ability to mobilise people. The party has also alleged that permission for the original venue was withdrawn following police intervention.

The mock session is intended to provide a platform for the Opposition to lay out its allegations against the Election Commission and build momentum for the November 1 rally, which the INDIA bloc has framed as a campaign against alleged “vote chori”.

The idea of holding a public impeachment-style proceeding was discussed earlier this month among Opposition leaders. The programme is part of a broader campaign seeking Kumar’s removal over the Election Commission’s handling of the electoral roll revision.

Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission

The INDIA bloc has been protesting against Kumar and has met President Droupadi Murmu to press for his removal. It has also demanded the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment and service conditions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, including provisions concerning their legal protection.

The Opposition has accused Kumar of the “unilateral and arbitrary exercise of the collective powers” of the Election Commission during the ongoing SIR. Congress leaders also announced last month that they intended to move a fresh impeachment motion against him, following an Indian Express report about objections raised by the two Election Commissioners over decisions connected with the revision.

The Congress subsequently shifted its focus towards political programmes and public outreach. The planned mock session is intended to bring those allegations before a wider audience, including voters who believe they have been unfairly excluded from electoral rolls.

What the law says about removing the CEC

The planned event is a symbolic political proceeding and does not constitute a formal impeachment or removal process. Under the law, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed by Parliament through a procedure similar to that applicable to a Supreme Court judge.

The CEC or an Election Commissioner may also resign by submitting a written resignation to the President.

The INDIA bloc’s mock proceedings are therefore intended to demonstrate public opposition to Kumar and reinforce the alliance’s demand for his removal, rather than initiate a legally binding parliamentary process.