When the grounds of a public square were closed to them, the opposition carried its grievance indoors, to the house of its own party leader on Rajaji Marg. The gathering is a small chapter in an older and familiar contest: those who lose faith in the people who count the votes trying to make that doubt visible to the public. What the proceeding will amount to depends on a date not yet fixed, on the testimony of those who say their names were lost from the rolls, and on whether the body under accusation chooses to answer.
Opposition Plans Mock Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar After Ramlila Maidan Permission Denied
Not a mock impeachment, but a reflection of the people's aspirations
When the grounds of a public square were closed to them, the opposition carried its grievance indoors, to the house of its own party leader on Rajaji Marg. The gathering is a small chapter in an older and familiar contest: those who lose faith in the people who count the votes trying to make that doubt visible to the public. What the proceeding will amount to depends on a date not yet fixed, on the testimony of those who say their names were lost from the rolls, and on whether the body under accusation chooses to answer.
The venue changed before the event could happen. After authorities refused permission for a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Ramlila Maidan, leaders of the Congress-led INDIA bloc began preparing to stage it instead at the home of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, at 10 Rajaji Marg.
The effort belongs to the opposition's widening 'vote chori' campaign, its shorthand for alleged vote theft, aimed at the Election Commission and at the special intensive revision of electoral rolls known as SIR. The reports disagree on whether it happens on Friday, October 30, or Saturday, so the date remains open until organisers confirm it.
Former Lok Sabha speaker Meera Kumar will preside. CPI-M MP John Brittas rejected the word 'mock', saying the proceeding will follow a proper process: party representatives speak, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha moves the motion, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha sums up, and civil society and SIR victims give evidence. A Sunday rally at Ramlila Maidan follows.
The reports do not explain why permission was refused, and the Election Commission and Gyanesh Kumar have not responded. Whether the Commission answers what is aired at Kharge's home is the open question.
The venue changed before the event could happen. After authorities refused permission for a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Ramlila Maidan, leaders of the Congress-led INDIA bloc began preparing to stage it at the home of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, at 10 Rajaji Marg.
The exercise is part of the opposition's widening 'vote chori' campaign, its shorthand for allegations of vote theft. The campaign is aimed at the Election Commission and at the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls, known as SIR.
The source report is inconsistent on timing. It first says the mock impeachment is planned for Friday, October 30, then says the relocated event will take place at Kharge's residence on Saturday. The date should be treated as unsettled until the organisers confirm it.
The proceeding is to be presided over by Meera Kumar, a former speaker of the Lok Sabha. A separate opposition rally is scheduled at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, and INDIA bloc parties have been asked to make sure turnout is high.
CPI-M MP John Brittas pushed back on the 'mock' label when he spoke to the media. In his account, the bloc has decided it will not be a mock impeachment but a reflection of the aspirations of the people. He said it would follow a proper process with a presiding officer, with Meera Kumar in the chair.
Brittas laid out the format. Representatives from different parties will speak. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha will move the motion, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha will sum up the discussion. Civil society representatives will take part, and victims of SIR are expected to come and give their evidence.
The report does not say why permission was refused at Ramlila Maidan, and it carries no response from the Election Commission or from Gyanesh Kumar. What comes next is the Sunday rally at Ramlila Maidan, and whether the Commission answers the allegations being aired at Kharge's home.
Citazioni salienti
It would not be a mock impeachment; it would be a reflection of the aspirations of the people, with a proper process and a presiding officer.— John Brittas, CPI-M MP
Vuoi la storia completa?
Leggi l'originale su Moneycontrol ↗
Politics & Governance