Opposition Calls for Immediate Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat October 31, 2026, 6:01 pm 5 min read

New Delhi, October 31: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the repeal of the 2023 law concerning his appointment, and the halt of the Special Information Report (SIR). Kharge stated that Form-6 was altered without parliamentary approval, leading to the deliberate removal of voters’ names. He emphasized that the India alliance, representing 60% of the population, insists on sending Gyanesh Kumar behind bars.

Kharge made these remarks during a mock parliament session held at his residence on Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, where he proposed a ‘people’s impeachment’ against Gyanesh Kumar. The session was presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, with leaders from 19 parties, including Sonia Gandhi and Kharge, in attendance. Rahul Gandhi is expected to deliver a speech at the conclusion of the event.

Kharge outlined six allegations against Gyanesh Kumar in the impeachment proposal.

“Modi and Shah Granted Legal Lifeline”

Kharge accused Gyanesh Kumar of operating the Election Commission under direct orders from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. He criticized a law passed in December 2023 that suspended 145 opposition MPs, which he claimed provides the Chief Election Commissioner with protections not even afforded to the President. “It is clear that PM Modi and Shah have given him a legal lifeline. This is against the Constitution, and he must be removed immediately,” Kharge stated.

He further claimed that Modi has orchestrated every scheme to retain power, including “election bonds, stealing MPs, and now stealing votes.” Kharge noted that the opposition had previously submitted a notice for Kumar’s removal in both houses of Parliament, which was rejected, prompting the current proposal. “We have no personal animosity towards the Chief Election Commissioner,” he added.

Maharashtra Sees 4 Million New Names, Five Times More Removed in SIR

Kharge highlighted that 4 million new names were added in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, altering the results, while five times more names were removed during the SIR process. He pointed out similar issues in Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi had previously indicated where discrepancies occurred and noted that the Election Commission had been asked for information 18 times, yet no response has been received.

“When the theft was caught, the announcement of the SIR was made,” Kharge remarked. He criticized the lack of advocacy for keeping deceased individuals’ names on the voter list. “You can remove names; we have never objected. We only want data on who has been removed and who has died to assess the validity of your methods,” he stated. Kharge accused the opposition of being labeled as infiltrators while they aim to protect legitimate voters.

He also mentioned flaws in the design of the SIR. The opposition has marched, met with the President, and approached the Supreme Court, but now feels compelled to take to the streets. Kharge condemned the Modi government for arresting numerous individuals, suppressing protests, and shutting down rail and internet services, yet still blaming the opposition for chaos.

Meira Kumar: No Transparency or Accountability in Name Removals

Meira Kumar stated that in recent years, names of eligible voters have been unjustly removed from the voter list. She noted that when the India alliance raises these issues, there is neither transparency nor accountability, leading to the decision to propose impeachment against Gyanesh Kumar. She mentioned that after Kharge, leaders from the alliance, representatives from civil society, and citizens whose names have been removed will also speak.

Tharoor: Will Proceed if Notice is Accepted in House

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, present at the event, remarked that no presiding officer in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha has accepted the impeachment notice, leaving them no option but to proceed with this process. He suggested that if the Home Minister advises the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker to accept the notice, the opposition will carry out the process in the house. The notice was previously rejected by Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in April 2026.

TMC MP Kirti Azad stated that if the people’s voice is not heard in Parliament, it is the MPs’ duty to stand with the public. Congress leader Kumari Selja asserted that both the government and the Chief Election Commissioner are now in the dock. SP MP Avadhesh Prasad expressed that it is possible to force the Chief Election Commissioner to resign.

Rally at Ramlila Maidan Tomorrow, Traders Urge Postponement

The event was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed by a day due to heavy rains in Delhi. The India alliance will hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1. Delhi police have divided the ground into 14 zones and are preparing to deploy 3,000 to 3,500 officers, anticipating around 50,000 attendees. The Chamber of Trade and Industry has written to Sonia Gandhi requesting the rally be postponed, warning that the event could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 crore in 20 markets ahead of Diwali.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.