INDIA Bloc Reschedules Mock Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar to October 31

The INDIA bloc has rescheduled its symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to October 31, moving the proceedings from Friday due to rain in the national capital. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced the change after a meeting of opposition leaders, stating that senior participants would be uncomfortable sitting in inclement weather.

Opposition Parties Hold Mock Impeachment at Kharge Residence

The mock impeachment proceedings, designed to protest alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, are being held at the New Delhi residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The event was originally planned for the Ashoka Hotel and later considered for Ramlila Maidan before organizers settled on Kharge’s residence due to permission hurdles, according to reports.

Around 20 opposition parties are participating in the exercise. According to the day’s schedule detailed by India Today, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is presiding over the mock parliamentary proceedings, while Kharge is moving the motion against the Chief Election Commissioner. Nearly 30 speakers are slated to address the gathering, with Rahul Gandhi delivering the concluding remarks.

Amit Shah Dismisses Opposition Campaign as Political Theatrics

Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed the opposition’s campaign as political theatrics. Addressing the BJP’s state working committee meeting in Lucknow, Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to debate their allegations of ‘vote chori’ during a special session of Parliament, comparing their tactics to blaming an umpire after losing a match, as reported by India Today.

The Congress party and its allies have demanded Kumar’s resignation over the Special Intensive Revision exercise. In a media address recorded by the All India Congress Committee on October 30, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the central government was actively attempting to block party members and common citizens from traveling to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana, and Punjab.

Opposition Plans Larger Demonstration at Ramlila Maidan

The mock impeachment serves as a curtain-raiser for a larger demonstration scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition intends to press its allegations regarding electoral roll discrepancies.