New Delhi, October 30: The INDIA bloc has postponed its proposed ‘People’s Maha-Impeachment’ programme against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Friday, due to rain. The programme has been rescheduled for Saturday, according to reports. The initiative has been organised by opposition parties over their objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged deletion of voters’ names.
Opposition parties have been raising concerns over the Election Commission’s SIR exercise. They allege that the process has led to the deletion of names of a large number of eligible voters, raising questions about voting rights and the transparency of elections. The INDIA bloc has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The opposition had initially planned to organise a symbolic parliamentary proceeding at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. However, after facing permission-related hurdles, the venue was changed. The programme was subsequently planned at the official residence of Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to chair the proceedings. Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to move the motion, while Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is expected to deliver the concluding address. Representatives of opposition parties, civil society members and people who claim to have been affected by the SIR exercise are also expected to participate.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the Chief Election Commissioner of violating constitutional principles and undermining the foundations of the electoral system. Opposition parties intend to raise questions publicly about the Election Commission’s role and the transparency of the SIR process.
The proposed ‘People’s Maha-Impeachment’ is not a constitutional impeachment proceeding. It is a symbolic political programme organised by the INDIA bloc to present its allegations and demands against the Chief Election Commissioner before the public.
The opposition alliance has also planned a major rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 to protest against alleged ‘vote theft’ and the SIR exercise. Through these programmes, the INDIA bloc aims to bring electoral transparency and voters’ rights back into the centre of public debate.
