INDIA Bloc’s Public Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

INDIA Bloc Holds Symbolic ‘Public Impeachment’ of CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge’s Residence

New Delhi, October 31, 2026: The opposition INDIA bloc on Saturday conducted a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during a mock parliamentary session at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi. The event was attended by senior opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, while Mallikarjun Kharge moved the motion against the Chief Election Commissioner. The event was organised as part of the opposition alliance’s campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Mallikarjun Kharge Moves Motion Against CEC

During the mock parliamentary proceedings, Kharge levelled six allegations against Gyanesh Kumar, including claims concerning voter deletions, changes to electoral procedures and the functioning of the Election Commission.

Kharge alleged that the electoral process had been compromised and raised concerns about the protection of citizens’ voting rights under Article 326 of the Constitution.

He said the opposition’s objective was to safeguard the credibility and impartial functioning of the Election Commission, rather than pursue personal differences with the CEC.

The allegations made during the proceedings represent the INDIA bloc’s position and have not been established as findings against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Meira Kumar Presides Over Mock Parliament

The proceedings were designed to resemble a parliamentary sitting, with seating arrangements and a stage modelled on the former Parliament's Central Hall.

Meira Kumar, who previously served as Lok Sabha Speaker, presided over the symbolic session. Representatives from opposition parties participated in the proceedings, while the motion was presented as a public demonstration against the alleged electoral irregularities.

The event was also attended by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other INDIA bloc leaders and MPs.

Rahul Gandhi Participates in the Proceedings

Rahul Gandhi attended the programme and delivered the concluding remarks before the symbolic motion was passed.

The Congress leader has repeatedly raised concerns about alleged voter deletions and electoral irregularities. The INDIA bloc has linked its campaign to the SIR process and has demanded greater accountability from the Election Commission.

The proceedings were also broadcast through social media platforms, allowing the event to reach audiences beyond those physically present at Kharge’s residence.

Why Is the INDIA Bloc Targeting the CEC?

The opposition alliance has been questioning the conduct of the Election Commission over the revision of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the voting process.

The SIR exercise has become a major point of political disagreement, with opposition parties alleging that eligible voters could be excluded from electoral lists. The INDIA bloc has demanded accountability and raised concerns about transparency in the revision process.

The opposition had earlier submitted formal notices seeking the removal of the CEC, but those notices were rejected by the presiding authorities of Parliament.

It is important to distinguish the Saturday event from a formal constitutional process. The proceedings at Kharge’s residence were symbolic and did not themselves remove Gyanesh Kumar from office or constitute a legally binding impeachment.

BJP Criticises the Opposition's Move

The BJP criticised the INDIA bloc’s programme, describing it as a mock parliamentary exercise and questioning the opposition’s approach.

The ruling party also took aim at Rahul Gandhi, with its leaders arguing that the opposition was staging proceedings outside Parliament rather than raising the matter through parliamentary debate.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also challenged opposition leaders to discuss electoral-roll issues in a special session of Parliament, maintaining that the government was prepared for a debate.

The exchange reflects the continuing political disagreement between the ruling NDA and the opposition over the Election Commission and electoral-roll revision.

INDIA Bloc Plans Ramlila Maidan Rally

The symbolic proceedings are part of a wider opposition campaign, with the INDIA bloc planning a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 under the slogan “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao”.

The alliance intends to bring together opposition leaders and supporters to raise concerns about alleged vote manipulation, voter-list revisions and the protection of democratic rights.

The programme had initially been scheduled for October 30 but was postponed because of heavy rainfall in the national capital.

Conclusion

The INDIA bloc’s symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar marks another development in the ongoing political dispute over electoral processes and the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.

With opposition leaders demanding accountability and the BJP defending the government’s position, the Election Commission and electoral-roll revision remain central subjects of political debate. The November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan is expected to carry the opposition’s campaign into its next phase.