INDIA Bloc to Hold Mock Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Today; 21 Opposition Parties Expected

Meira Kumar to preside over the mock parliamentary proceedings at Mallikarjun Kharge's Delhi residence; Rahul Gandhi to deliver concluding remarks ahead of November 1 'Vote Chori' rally

The INDIA bloc is set to hold a public mock impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Saturday, October 31, with nearly 21 Opposition parties expected to participate in the programme.

The event will take place at the residence of Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, at 3.30 pm. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will preside over the proceedings, while Kharge is expected to move the motion.

The programme is part of the Opposition's campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its allegations of electoral irregularities. It will also serve as a curtain-raiser for the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, where Opposition parties plan to raise their 'Vote Chori' allegations.

Rain Forces INDIA Bloc to Postpone Mock Impeachment

The programme was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed by a day after heavy rain affected several parts of Delhi.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi confirmed the change, announcing that the event would now be held on Saturday.

The gathering is expected to include representatives of nearly 21 political parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and several Left parties. Social groups, student organisations and people affected by the SIR exercise are also expected to participate.

The venue was changed several times during the planning process. The programme was initially proposed at the Ashoka Hotel before being shifted to Ramlila Maidan. However, permission-related hurdles led the INDIA bloc to settle on Kharge's residence.

How the Mock Impeachment Proceedings Will Be Conducted

The event will follow a mock parliamentary format, with Meira Kumar presiding over the proceedings and Kharge moving the motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Leaders representing different Opposition parties will speak on the motion within their allotted time. Nearly 30 speakers are expected to address the gathering.

Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding remarks.

Several Opposition leaders met at Kharge's residence on Thursday to finalise the programme. Those present included Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal and Meira Kumar; CPI(M) leader John Brittas; Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien; Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik; and JMM leader Mahua Maji, among others.

INDIA Bloc's November 1 Rally to Focus on 'Vote Chori'

The mock impeachment is part of a wider Opposition campaign demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities.

The INDIA bloc has also planned a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, with 'Vote Chori' allegations expected to be at the centre of the mobilisation.

The Opposition has repeatedly questioned the conduct and implications of the electoral roll revision exercise, while its campaign has increasingly focused on the role of the Election Commission.

Amit Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav to Debate in Parliament

The mock impeachment comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to debate their 'Vote Chori' allegations in Parliament.

Addressing a BJP state working committee meeting in Lucknow on Friday, Shah said the BJP was ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue.

Comparing the Opposition's allegations to a losing cricket team blaming the umpire, Shah said: "Rahul and Akhilesh Yadav, instead of practising harder after losing a match, start blaming the umpire. I challenge them — the BJP is ready to discuss these allegations in Parliament. Come forward, and let us convene a special session."

Shah also questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would accept the challenge, accusing him of preferring to create "drama on the streets" rather than raising the issue in Parliament.

The exchange has added another political dimension to the Opposition's planned mock proceedings and the November 1 rally, with the dispute over electoral rolls and alleged vote manipulation emerging as a major point of confrontation between the BJP and INDIA bloc.