New Delhi: The opposition bloc is poised to take a collective decision on initiating an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as confirmed by Congress leader KC Venugopal on Wednesday. This development comes a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vociferously demanded such a move, marking a significant escalation in the political confrontation over electoral processes.
Mamata Banerjee's Call for Action
Mamata Banerjee, who has been actively campaigning against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to rally support from other opposition parties. She explicitly called for the impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, framing it as a necessary step to protect democratic institutions. "Never has such a motion been tabled against a Chief Election Commissioner," noted political observers, highlighting the unprecedented nature of this potential move.
On Wednesday, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee maintained a cautious stance, telling reporters, "I cannot disclose everything. Internal strategies cannot be made public. When the time comes, we will see what happens." This statement underscores the strategic calculations underway within opposition circles.
Opposition Response and Support
Speaking to mediapersons in the Parliament House complex, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal revealed that the Trinamool Congress has already contacted the Congress regarding this matter. "Trinamool Congress already contacted the Congress... I think the entire Opposition will take a call on the matter, which is one of the most relevant issues raised by Trinamool. We are positively looking at it," Venugopal stated.
However, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi opted to remain silent on the issue, refusing to comment when approached. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav extended his unequivocal support to Mamata Banerjee's campaign against the SIR. "Mamata Banerjee has donned a black coat against the black deeds of the BJP," Yadav declared, adding, "People must come forward. Losing your vote is losing your right. Everything will be lost one by one... Your citizenship would be questioned. We are with her."
Concerns Over Electoral Transparency
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasized the critical need for transparency within the Election Commission. "The way BJP is misusing the SIR and using the Election Commission to violate voters' rights by deleting their names on a large scale is deeply concerning," she asserted. Chaturvedi pointed out that Mamata Banerjee's fight is particularly relevant in West Bengal, where "a large number of voters who traditionally vote for her have been allegedly removed."
Chaturvedi welcomed Banerjee's decision to approach the Supreme Court on this matter, stating, "She took this matter to the Supreme Court, and I welcome the step. On the impeachment motion, if the Election Commission, an institution expected to uphold institutional morality, follows someone's agenda, it is completely wrong."
Legal and Constitutional Implications
The process for impeaching a Chief Election Commissioner mirrors that of a Supreme Court judge. Removal can only occur on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity, requiring a resolution to be tabled by at least 100 Members of Parliament. Furthermore, such a motion must secure a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament to succeed.
Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed hope that the Supreme Court would intervene to safeguard the Election Commission's credibility. "I hope that the Supreme Court, which is a constitutional provision and part of the legal process available to political parties, takes cognisance of this matter so that the credibility of the Election Commission does not collapse. The transparency of the poll panel must be maintained, and voters' rights must be protected. I believe she will achieve victory in this fight," the MP concluded.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on the opposition's next move and whether they will formally initiate what could be a historic impeachment proceeding against India's top election official.
