INDIA Bloc Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Removal, Alleges 'Vote Chori' in Electoral Rolls

India's opposition INDIA bloc dramatically escalated its challenge to the nation's electoral integrity today, staging a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanding his removal for alleged 'treason'. Leaders accused Kumar of orchestrating a 'vote chori' conspiracy, specifically pointing to the deletion of over 13 crore (130 million) voters from electoral rolls, a move they claim undermines democratic processes across national and state elections. The symbolic proceedings, held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge residence in New Delhi, saw the opposition alliance table six severe charges against Kumar. These include allegations of colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to manipulate electoral outcomes, unilaterally changing voter registration rules (Form 6), centralizing voter data management through ERONET/ECINET, and sidelining the two other Election Commissioners who reportedly lodged 14 objections to his decisions. Rahul Gandhi asserted that the purported deletion of voters, which he stated exceeded the 2024 Lok Sabha election's victory margin, renders the electoral results illegitimate. The opposition also highlighted concerns about the 2023 Election Commissioners Act, which they argue provides undue immunity to the CEC. With the INDIA bloc resolving to pursue Kumar's trial for treason and planning a major 'Chalo Dilli' rally at Ramlila Maidan tomorrow, November 1, the confrontation over electoral fairness is set to intensify. The BJP has dismissed the 'public impeachment' as mere political drama and a mockery of Parliament, while the Supreme Court of India recently deferred a hearing on pleas against Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision process, asking petitioners for a response to the Election Commission's affidavit. This ongoing legal battle and the escalating political accusations mark a critical juncture for India's democratic institutions.