Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal and Repeal of 2023 Election Law

Congress leader moves a resolution in a mock Parliament

• On Saturday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge introduced a resolution in a symbolic parliamentary session demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
• Kharge opened his speech by invoking the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, then turned to alleged irregularities in the Election Commission and the ruling NDA government.

Core allegations made by Kharge

• Universal adult suffrage under threat – Kharge cited Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees voting rights to every adult, and claimed the right is now in “grave danger.”
• 2023 law on the Election Commission – He argued the law passed in 2023 gives the CEC greater protection than the President, limiting parliamentary oversight.
• Manipulation of electoral rolls
• *Maharashtra*: Kharge said four million new names were added to the rolls during the state assembly election, allegedly overturning the result, while the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise removed five times as many names.
• *Karnataka*: Similar irregularities were alleged, though no specific figures were provided.
• Political pressure on the CEC – Kharge accused the CEC of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Other claims – He mentioned alleged misuse of electoral bonds, “MP theft,” and the suspension of 145 opposition MPs after the 2023 law was passed.

Reported claims vs. confirmed facts

• Confirmed: The resolution was tabled in a mock parliamentary session; the 2023 amendment to the Election Commission Act exists; 145 opposition MPs were suspended in the aftermath of that law (as reported by multiple news outlets).
• Reported/Alleged by Kharge: The exact number of new or deleted voter entries, the motive behind the SIR exercise, and the CEC’s alleged loyalty to the Prime Minister have not been independently verified.
• Unknown: No official response from the Election Commission to the 18 written requests cited by Kharge; the internal data on roll changes remains undisclosed.

Practical implications

• Election credibility – If the allegations are substantiated, they could fuel legal challenges to upcoming state elections in Maharashtra, Karnataka and elsewhere.
• Opposition strategy – The Congress and its INDIA bloc (which Kharge says represents about 60 % of the electorate) may intensify demands for transparency, possibly filing petitions in the Supreme Court.
• Voter verification – Citizens can cross‑check their own entries on the electoral roll via the Election Commission’s online portal, request data through the Right‑to‑Information (RTI) Act, or monitor updates announced by state election officers.

How to verify the claims

• Check the official EC website for any press releases responding to the 18 requests mentioned.
• Review the 2023 amendment text (available on the Ministry of Law & Justice portal) to understand the scope of CEC protections.
• Use the Voter Search tool to confirm whether a name has been added or deleted in the last election cycle.
• Follow court filings – any petition filed by the opposition will be publicly listed on the Supreme Court’s website.

--- *The article is based on statements made by Mallikarjun Kharge in a parliamentary mock session and publicly available information about the 2023 Election Commission amendment. No independent verification of the specific electoral‑roll figures has been found at the time of writing.*