INDIA Bloc Passes Mock 'Impeachment Motion' Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge's Residence; BJP Responds

The Congress-led INDIA bloc on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution to "impeach" Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during a mock Parliament held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi. The exercise took place amid opposition allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under Kumar's watch.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, which featured participation from various opposition leaders and student representatives ahead of a scheduled "Delhi Chalo" rally at Ramlila Maidan where the opposition seeks the CEC's resignation.

Key Developments and Allegations

• Mock Impeachment: Opposition leaders, including Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, accused the CEC of favoring the ruling party and acting on instructions from the Prime Minister and Home Minister.
• SIR Concerns: Samajwadi Party MPs and other leaders alleged that the SIR process was a direct assault aimed at removing voters from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, backward classes, and minority communities.
• Ex-CEC Objections Cited: Reports noted previous objections raised by other election commissioners concerning decisions allegedly taken without their knowledge.

BJP Response

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Sambit Patra and Sudhanshu Trivedi, strongly criticized the mock Parliament. The BJP defended the constitutional protection afforded to election authorities, defended the SIR process through the 'ASDD' (Absent, Shifted, etc.) voter list verification framework, and criticized opposition leadership.

*Readers can verify official election commission announcements and parliamentary updates through official government channels and authenticated news sources.*