The political climate in India has heated up after the opposition INDIA bloc announced plans to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The move comes in the wake of serious allegations of voter list manipulation and “vote theft” during the recent general elections.
The decision was finalized at a meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders on Monday, chaired by Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge. The opposition accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of deliberately allowing irregularities in voter lists across states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, and poll-bound Bihar.
Rahul Gandhi Leads the Charge
The controversy gained momentum after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that over 100,250 votes were “stolen” in Bangalore Central’s Mahadevapura assembly segment, which allegedly helped the BJP win the 2024 Lok Sabha seat. Gandhi accused the ECI of colluding with the ruling BJP, pointing to duplicate voter names, invalid addresses, and bulk registrations.
In response, CEC Gyanesh Kumar dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and an “insult to the Constitution,” challenging Gandhi to provide proof through an affidavit or issue a public apology. He also defended the ECI’s handling of electoral rolls, saying the charges lacked evidence.
Protests and Political Strategy
Opposition leaders admitted that while they lack the numbers to pass the impeachment motion, the step is a symbolic move to highlight their distrust in the Commission. MPs from Congress, RJD, JMM, and other INDIA bloc parties have staged protests both inside and outside Parliament, accusing the ECI of working as a “BJP ally.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav have launched a 16-day “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar, covering 1,300 km across 20 districts to protest alleged voter suppression and irregularities.
Government and ECI’s Stand
The government has urged the opposition to avoid disrupting Parliament, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju calling for constructive debate instead of confrontation. The BJP dismissed the allegations, stating that the ECI’s voter roll revision is designed to eliminate fake or duplicate voters, not facilitate fraud.
What Lies Ahead
Under the Constitution, a CEC can only be removed through an impeachment motion supported by a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament — a number the opposition currently lacks. Still, the issue has reignited debate about the independence and transparency of India’s electoral system, ensuring the controversy will remain at the centre of political discourse in the coming weeks.
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