INDIA bloc impeachment event: Kharge lists 6 charges against CEC, makes 3 demands

Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of facilitating "vote theft" and listed six charges against him at a symbolic "public impeachment" organised by the opposition INDIA bloc. Kharge alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was initiated to remove voters opposed to the BJP. The proceedings began at his residence on Rajaji Marg, with former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar chairing the event. Kharge accused the CEC of centralising control over electoral rolls and acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.

During the proceedings, Kharge listed six allegations against Kumar:

Conspired to steal elections.

Deleted 13.3 crore voters.

Rewrote Form 6 without parliamentary oversight or knowledge.

Seized the electoral rolls through ECINET.

Breached his constitutional mandate and shut out the two other election commissioners.

Acted at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

Kharge also reiterated the opposition's three demands:

The removal of the CEC,

An end to the SIR exercise and

Changes to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the chief election commissioner.

Kharge also accused PM Modi government of using various means to retain power since 2014. "The Modi government has been plotting every kind of scheme since 2014 to seize power. MP theft, party splitting, government theft, misuse of ED-CBI, and now vote theft. In other words—split the opposition's votes and rule," Kharge said. He alleged that the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC had granted immunity to the election commissioner. "Gyanesh Kumar is able to carry out this 'vote theft' because in December 2023, a bill was passed by suspending 145 opposition MPs, which grants immunity to the CEC," he said. Kharge also questioned the election results in Maharashtra and Haryana, alleging that the INDIA bloc's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was followed by a reversal in the assembly polls. "In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we had an excellent performance in Maharashtra and Haryana, but the results flipped in the assembly elections. Reason—votes were illegally added before the elections and then all names were removed.

This work is being done together by Modi-Shah and Gyanesh," he alleged. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi called on people to join a march in the national capital on Sunday ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. In a post on X, Rahul announced the route and timing of the walk, saying, "See you tomorrow, let's walk together." According to his post, the march will begin at noon from the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place, proceed towards Ajmeri Gate and conclude at Ramlila Maidan. However, Delhi Police sources said no permission had been sought for a march starting from Connaught Place.