In the heart of New Delhi, senior opposition leaders from various parties converged to hold a 'public impeachment' of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. The atmosphere was charged with tension as Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge moved a 'public impeachment' motion against Kumar. The event was designed to mirror the procedures of the Lok Sabha, with opposition MPs and leaders bashing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the CEC for alleged 'vote chori' (vote-rigging). Kharge accused Kumar of treason and demanded his removal.
Kharge initiated the public impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. He accused Kumar of six serious charges, including vote-rigging and protecting corrupt politicians. The motion was based on the 'Election Commission of India (Term of Office and Conditions of Service) Act, 2023,' which was passed in December 2023 by 145 opposition MPs. Kharge argued that this act protects election commissioners, a privilege not even the President or Chief Justice of India enjoys. The motion was a direct challenge to the CEC's impartiality and the integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
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Kharge's accusations centered on the integrity of the electoral process. He claimed that the CEC was running the ECI on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Kharge emphasized that the right to vote was under threat because of Kumar's alleged actions, stating, "We are not backing down from the corruption allegations. The process should be impartial."
The motion was a direct challenge to the CEC's impartiality and the integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI).