Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 31: Accusing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of "treason against the nation and the Constitution", the Congress on Saturday demanded his removal during symbolic "public impeachment proceedings" organised at the official residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The event was held on a specially created set recreating the interiors of the Lok Sabha, including the Speaker's dais. It began with Kharge reading out six key charges against Gyanesh Kumar and moving a "resolution" for consideration and passage during the mock proceedings.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar chaired the proceedings. Kharge said Gyanesh Kumar's presence at the helm of the Election Commission of India (ECI) posed a threat to "impartial polls, democracy and the Constitution".
The resolution listed six charges against the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that Gyanesh Kumar conspired to steal elections, deleted 13.2 crore voters, rewrote Form 6 without Parliamentary approval, seized electoral rolls through ECINET, sidelined the other two election commissioners and acted at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Targeting the government over its alleged false accusations that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was inciting the youth, Kharge also criticised the RSS over its alleged opposition to adult franchise since the adoption of the Constitution.
"We want to save the foundation of democracy which is being threatened by the BJP," Kharge said.
He demanded that Gyanesh Kumar be "removed forthwith" and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls be stopped immediately.
The Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha also sought the immediate cancellation of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which provides legal protection to election commissioners.
Kharge said members of the INDIA bloc represented 60 per cent of the country's population and, through the "impeachment proceedings", demanded that CEC Gyanesh Kumar "be tried for treason in a court of law".
As he tabled the resolution to initiate the debate, INDIA bloc members applauded by thumping their desks and raised slogans such as "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod".