NEW DELHI, October 29: Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc have finalised plans for a symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday, October 30, as part of their protest over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the issue of “vote chori”.
Several opposition leaders met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the format and proceedings of the proposed event, which will take place during a mock Parliament session.
Those present at the meeting included Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and K. C. Venugopal, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Maji and CPI(M) leader John Brittas, among others.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Kharge said the opposition would continue its protests over alleged electoral irregularities and what he described as misconduct by the CEC.
He said opposition parties would participate in the mock Parliament session on October 30, followed by a rally on November 1, which is expected to draw participants from across the country.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said the meeting focused on the procedure for conducting the symbolic public impeachment.
Opposition Plans Mock Parliament Session
Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the proposed discussion would focus on issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of vote theft.
He said the event would seek to highlight public concerns and what the opposition describes as threats to democratic processes, while presenting a united front among INDIA bloc parties.
Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik said it had been decided that each participating party would nominate one representative to speak during the proceedings.
Congress Alleges Restrictions On Venue
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had earlier announced that the event would be held at Kharge’s residence at 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, at 3:30 pm on October 30, after the opposition was allegedly denied permission to use other venues.
Ramesh accused the CEC of violating constitutional principles and undermining electoral democracy. These allegations form part of the opposition’s ongoing campaign against the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls.
The Congress had also alleged that the government was attempting to suppress public voices after denying permission for the proposed event.
The Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR process. The Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls remains at the centre of the opposition’s protests.
