A motion seeking the impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar was passed by INDIA bloc leaders during a symbolic public impeachment programme organised against him in Delhi on Saturday (October 31). INDIA bloc leaders passed the motion by raising their hands. Photo: X/@RahulGandhi
INDIA bloc passes ‘impeachment motion’; Rahul says ‘Gyanesh won’t survive’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Gyanesh Kumar's removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners and an end to SIR.
The INDIA bloc on Saturday (October 31) adopted a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of undermining the independence of the Election Commission of India (EC) and facilitating alleged manipulation of electoral rolls and election processes.
The resolution was adopted at a symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of Gyanesh, organised at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi.
Later, the resolution to remove the CEC was passed unanimously with the raising of hands.
Kharge hits out at Gyanesh
The proceedings were modelled on the functioning of the Parliament, presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. INDIA bloc leaders, MPs, civil society representatives and some of the individuals who alleged wrongful deletion of their names from electoral rolls attended the meeting, setting the tone for the Sunday rally by the Opposition in the national capital to ramp up pressure for CEC Kumar's removal.
Also read: 'Rome was not built in a day, but it can be destroyed in a day': Lavasa on EC after SIR row
Moving the motion, Kharge accused CEC Kumar of treason as he read the "charges" against him, and demanded his removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners and an end to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha alleged that Kumar was running the Election Commission at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
"Today, the right to vote is under threat because CEC Gyanesh Kumar is running the Election Commission on the directions of Modi and Shah," Kharge said.
Six charges against CEC
The resolution lists six charges against Kumar, alleging that his actions have compromised the constitutional guarantee of universal adult franchise and the principle of free and fair elections. It calls for his immediate removal and demands that he be tried in a court of law under the constitutional framework.
The INDIA bloc has accused the CEC of acting in collusion with the ruling BJP to manipulate national and state elections. It alleges that voter lists were manipulated through the addition and deletion of names to influence electoral outcomes. These allegations form the first and most serious charge in the resolution.
The "public impeachment" is part of the opposition bloc's campaign against alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and its demand for accountability from the Election Commission. The bloc has also called for a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday under the banner of 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao'.
The six charges by the INDIA bloc against Gyanesh, are as follows:
1. Conspired to steal elections
2. Deleted approximately 14 crore voters
3. Amended Form 6 without Parliament's nod
4. Seized the electoral rolls through 'malicious' software
5. Shut out the other two election commissioners
6. Acted at the behest of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Follow live updates here.
Live Updates
- 31 Oct 2026 4:10 PM IST
Kharge: 'Gyanesh running EC under direct instructions of Modi, Shah'
Kharge says, "CEC Gyanesh Kumar is running the Election Commission under the direct instructions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Seven months ago, 193 Opposition MPs moved a motion in both Houses of Parliament to remove the CEC. However, our notices were rejected, and no cognisance was taken of them. Therefore, the motion we have brought forward today is aimed at safeguarding the dignity of a constitutional institution. We hold no personal grudge against the CEC. Our intention is for the Election Commission to function impartially, in line with the spirit of the Constitution, so that the common man’s trust in it remains intact. We must ensure that the voting rights of vulnerable sections, women, and the youth are not surreptitiously deleted from a computer by someone sitting in Delhi..."
- 31 Oct 2026 4:05 PM IST
Meira Kumar: 'Preventing someone from voting inflicts harm upon our democracy'
Meira Kumar says, "It has been decided that the INDIA bloc will convene a meeting to bring forward an impeachment motion to remove Gyanesh Kumar from his position. This impeachment motion will be moved in the Rajya Sabha by the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, who will subsequently deliver a statement...Ours is the largest democracy in the world. Nations across the globe, in Asia, Africa, and South America, look up to us and follow our model of democracy. Our democracy is driven by the power of elections, and at the heart of this electoral power lies the soul of the voter. The voter is the focal point of the entire electoral process. If even a single voter is denied the right to cast their vote, it strikes a blow to the very soul of our democracy. Preventing someone from voting inflicts harm upon our democracy."
- 31 Oct 2026 4:03 PM IST
Kharge to move motion to 'remove' CEC
Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge will move a motion to "remove" the CEC from office, says Meira Kumar during symbolic "public impeachment".
- 31 Oct 2026 3:59 PM IST
Kharge pays tributes to Sardar Patel and Indira Gandhi
Kharge pays tributes to former PM Indira Gandhi and ex-Deputy PM Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Today is Patel's birth anniversary and Indira's death anniversary.
- 31 Oct 2026 3:54 PM IST
Civil society members attend event
Civil society members, voters whose names have been deleted during SIR exercise, are also attending the event, says Meira Kumar.
- 31 Oct 2026 3:52 PM IST
'Impeachment' of CEC event begins in Delhi
INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are in attendance. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is presiding over the event. The event began with the playing of the National Anthem.
- 31 Oct 2026 3:36 PM IST
Neha Bora arrives at Kharge's residence
AISA President Neha Bora arrives at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. She says, "I have come for the public impeachment. This impeachment—something people across India have been demanding for a long time—is taking place here today. If those currently in power in Parliament were truly representing the interests of the people, then what is happening here today would instead be taking place inside our Parliament."
- 31 Oct 2026 3:35 PM IST
Kharge to begin 'impeachment' event, says Meira Kumar
Former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Meira Kumar says, "(Mallikarjun) Kharge sahab will begin, followed by leaders from the INDIA alliance and representatives from civil society; additionally, citizens whose names have been removed from the voter list will share their perspectives."
- 31 Oct 2026 3:32 PM IST
VHP questions INDIA bloc rally timing, says politics cannot come above festivals, economy
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday questioned the timing of the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally being held amid Diwali festivities and said that ignoring festivals, social harmony and the country's economy in the name of politics is not a good sign for political parties.
The RSS affiliate pointed out that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, held between September 2022 and January 2023, had a nine-day break from December 25 to January 2 for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
However, despite repeated appeals by traders' organisations in Delhi and members of Hindu society to cancel or postpone the November 1 rally, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said in a post on X.
"The country knows that Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began on September 7, 2022, and concluded on January 29, 2023, had a nine-day break from December 25 to January 2 during Christmas and New Year. This was perhaps because these occasions were very important to him, his Christian mother and his party.
"However, now, when traders' organisations in Delhi and members of Hindu society, distressed over the possible disruption of Diwali celebrations and the huge losses it could cause to businesses associated with the festival, have repeatedly appealed for the rally scheduled for November 1 to be cancelled or postponed, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears," he said.
The remarks came ahead of the INDIA bloc's planned "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. The programme, earlier scheduled for Friday, was postponed to Saturday due to rain in the national capital.
The INDIA bloc has also planned a "mega rally" at Ramlila Maidan over the "vote chori" issue and to demand Kumar's resignation.
Bansal questioned whether political protests are more important than festivals, the country's culture, trade and the economy.
