INDIA Bloc Stages Symbolic Public Impeachment of CEC at Kharge Residence

Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc have gathered at the New Delhi residence of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to conduct a symbolic public impeachment event targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The event, which organisers distinguished from a traditional mock parliament, included participation from opposition Members of Parliament, lawyers, and civil society figures.

Context of the Protest

The demonstration follows ongoing tensions regarding the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India. Opposition leaders allege the following:

• The Commission has engaged in unilateral decision-making that compromises its independence.
• Voter disenfranchisement has occurred during the revision process.
• Parliamentary discussions on these concerns have been stifled.

Official Responses and Legal Status

• Election Commission: The poll body has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court affirming that its decisions regarding the revision process were made unanimously.
• Supreme Court: The judiciary is currently considering petitions that challenge both the specific revision exercise and the broader functioning of the Election Commission.
• BJP Stance: The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised the event as unparliamentary, arguing that such street-level protests undermine constitutional institutions.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury described the public impeachment as a "last resort" in light of the alleged failure of formal parliamentary channels to address their grievances. The event precedes a planned mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, intended to highlight these electoral concerns to the public. Meanwhile, political analysts have noted the event underscores a deepening constitutional divide and challenges regarding opposition participation in upcoming state elections.