New Delhi, October 31: The Opposition INDIA bloc held a symbolic “public impeachment” programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Saturday.
The programme, held at 10 Rajaji Marg, was organised amid Opposition allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns over the deletion of voters’ names. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of undermining voting rights through the revision exercise.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, while Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge introduced the motion against the CEC. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered the concluding address. Representatives of more than 20 Opposition parties, along with citizens who claimed to have been affected by the SIR exercise, participated in the programme.
AISA president Neha Bora also arrived at Kharge’s residence and described the event as a “public impeachment”. She said people across India had been demanding such an exercise for a long time. Had those in power in Parliament truly represented the interests of the people, she argued, the proceedings would have taken place inside Parliament.
The programme was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed to Saturday due to heavy rain in the national capital. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced the rescheduling on social media.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has called for a ‘Chalo Dilli’ march and rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. According to Rahul Gandhi, the march will begin at noon from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and proceed to Ramlila Maidan.
The rally is expected to focus on the SIR exercise, alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Opposition’s demand for the CEC’s resignation.
