Opposition's public impeachment program to be held to remove Chief Election Commissioner

The opposition alliance 'INDIA' is going to hold a program named 'Janata Beech Mahabhiyog' (Impeachment Among Public) in Delhi on October 30 with the demand to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his post. This program will be held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg. The main objective of the opposition is to present its allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner and the demand to remove him from the post on a public platform. This event has been kept as a prelude ahead of the opposition alliance's joint rally to be held on November 1.

Congress Organization General Secretary K.C. Venugopal alleged on October 27 that the Narendra Modi government is creating hurdles in the program organized by the INDIA alliance. He stated that permission to hold this program at two different venues was denied due to police intervention. Speaking to the media, Venugopal said that government hotel Ashok had initially given permission for the program, but that permission was withdrawn after police intervention. He further added that this matter is not just a decision of the Delhi Police, but of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are protecting their biased Gyanesh Kumar.

The Congress leader alleged that when their men came to prepare the infrastructure for the program, the police stopped them. Venugopal said in clear words that until Modi-Shah's puppet, considered to be Gyanesh Kumar, is removed, they will not sit quietly. If they are stopped here, they will go to Amit Shah's house and Prime Minister Modi's house to stage a big dharna and fight until the mission is fulfilled. Taking a jibe at the government on the social media platform X as well, he said that the government first destroyed the electoral system and is now trying all sorts of tactics to silence those fighting to save democracy.

After Ashok Hotel, Congress chose Ramlila Maidan for this program, as the party had booked this venue from October 25 to November 3. However, Venugopal stated that when preparations were made to build infrastructure in Ramlila Maidan too, the police stopped them. 21 parties of the opposition alliance had decided to organize this 'mock impeachment'. Venugopal said that venues like Talkatora Stadium, Constitution Club, Mavalankar Hall and Dr. Ambedkar International Center were also checked for this program, but booking or permission was not received anywhere.

On the other hand, these allegations have been refuted by the Delhi Police. Rohit Rajbir Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Central District, stated that no separate request or letter for permission to organize the proposed mock impeachment has been received by them. The police stated that permission has been granted for the rally to be held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, which is subject to conditions. According to the permission letter issued by the police, this rally is to be held from 10 am to 5 pm. 'No Objection' has been given by the police from the law and order perspective, but the condition is that the organizers must obtain prior permission from the land-owning authority.

Police have imposed several strict conditions for this rally, which include CCTV surveillance, security arrangements, water and toilet facilities, traffic management and crowd control. The organizers will have to ensure that the rally remains peaceful and concludes by 5 pm. No march or foot procession of any kind has been allowed outside Ramlila Maidan. In addition, the organizers will also have to submit a list of invitees and volunteers, a minute-to-minute program and details of buses. The police have warned that if provocative speeches are made, they will have to be stopped immediately and if conditions are violated, legal action will be taken and permission will be canceled.

According to Amar Ujala's report, the opposition alliance 'INDIA' will hold the 'Janata Beech Mahabhiyog' program against Gyanesh Kumar on October 30. The purpose of this program is to present the allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner and the demand to remove him from the post on a public platform. However, constitutionally this program will have no legal effect. According to the Constitution, a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament is required to remove the Chief Election Commissioner from office, so this public program is not an alternative to the official impeachment process, but it is an attempt by the opposition to bring its demands before the people. Through this program, the opposition can also present its stand regarding irregularities in the electoral process and Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The opposition's future strategy is clear from the November 1 rally and October 30 program. There are preparations by the opposition alliance to also hold protests regarding irregularities in the electoral system and revision of the electoral roll. Currently, detailed information about which leaders will participate in this program or what specific allegations will be presented is not available, but the opposition has adopted an aggressive stance against the government on this matter.