The political tensions in India escalated sharply as reports emerged that the opposition-led INDIA bloc is considering bringing an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The move comes amid a heated controversy over alleged ‘vote chori’ (vote theft) and manipulation of electoral rolls, primarily related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.
According to sources, senior leaders from the INDIA bloc are expected to begin collecting signatures from Members of Parliament (MPs) beginning this afternoon in support of the proposed motion. If tabled, it would represent a rare and unprecedented step in Indian parliamentary history, underscoring the seriousness of the Opposition’s accusations against the Election Commission (EC).

Why the Opposition Is Considering an Impeachment Motion

Opposition leaders have cited two principal reasons behind the decision to consider an impeachment motion.
First, they argue that the Election Commission is allegedly functioning as the “BJP’s B team”, repeatedly taking decisions that favour the ruling party at the Centre.
Second, they claim that Opposition leaders have been threatened and pressured in an effort to silence criticism and discourage scrutiny of the electoral management process in poll-bound Bihar and other states.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain made it clear that while no formal decision has yet been taken to bring an impeachment motion, the INDIA bloc will use “all weapons of democracy under the rules” if such a step becomes necessary to protect electoral integrity.
These remarks followed a series of protests in the Parliament premises by senior Opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Kanimozhi and others, who accused the Election Commission and the BJP of engineering large-scale voter manipulation ahead of upcoming elections.

INDIA Bloc Protests and the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’

Simultaneously, the Opposition has launched a nationwide mass mobilisation effort to draw attention to the issue. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, together with Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, entered the second day of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, which began on Sunday from Sasaram and aims to cover over 1,300 kilometres across 20 districts in 16 days.
The yatra—designed as a grassroots campaign advocating for the protection of voting rights—has become a rallying platform for allegations of ‘vote chori’ related to the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav offered prayers at the Dev Surya Mandir in Aurangabad before addressing gatherings of local residents and party workers. They emphasised that free and fair elections are the bedrock of India’s democracy and accused the Election Commission of allowing voter suppression by tampering with electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders assert that large numbers of minority voters, Dalits and marginalised communities have been arbitrarily removed from the draft list released during the SIR process.

Election Commission’s Response and Press Conference

Responding to these allegations, the Election Commission of India (ECI) held a press conference in the national capital on Sunday. The Commission firmly rejected claims of vote theft and electoral roll manipulation, stating that such allegations were “baseless and misleading”.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar stressed that the Election Commission treats all political parties equally and impartially, regardless of their ideology or position.
“Under the Constitution of India, every citizen who has attained the age of 18 has the right to become a voter, and the Election Commission does not discriminate between ruling or opposition parties. Our primary duty is to uphold the law impartially,” Kumar said.

The CEC explained that the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar is being conducted with the coordination of 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) representing various political parties, all of whom have been invited to participate fully in the verification process. He also noted that a draft electoral roll has already been shared with all stakeholders and that verified testimonials and signatures from political parties form an integral part of this collaborative process.

Allegation vs. Clarification: The Political Fallout

Despite the EC’s clarification, Opposition leaders remain unconvinced. They argue that the pace and methodology of the SIR allow space for manipulation on the ground. Some have alleged inappropriate interference by local administrative officials, who they claim are acting under political pressure.
During the press conference, the Election Commission also asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either submit a signed affidavit substantiating his allegations or apologise publicly for spreading misinformation.
This move further escalated political tensions, with INDIA bloc leaders insisting that the EC’s ultimatum reflects a “hostile tone” towards the Opposition and undermines public trust in electoral processes.

Opposition MP Akhilesh Yadav criticised the EC for “silencing” voices instead of transparently addressing concerns.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee said the Election Commission must demonstrate “substantive transparency” by publishing daily summaries of corrections and changes made to the voter roll as part of the SIR.

Looking Ahead: Constitutional Process and Political Strategy

The impeachment of a Chief Election Commissioner requires a formal resolution passed by two-thirds of the members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament, followed by an inquiry and the President’s approval.
Although bringing such a motion is constitutionally permissible, historians note that no impeachment motion against a CEC has ever been successfully passed in India.
Political analysts suggest that even if the INDIA bloc proceeds with the motion, gathering the requisite two-thirds majority will be extremely difficult without broader support among non-aligned regional parties.

Nevertheless, the potential tabling of the motion may serve as a powerful symbolic strategy to highlight the Opposition’s concerns over electoral integrity and place the government and Election Commission under heightened public scrutiny.
Many political commentators believe that the INDIA bloc is also using parliamentary tools to prepare the ground for a wider public narrative that democratic institutions are becoming compromised.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the INDIA bloc’s consideration of an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar reflects a significant escalation in the ongoing vote chori row centred around the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. While the Election Commission has rigorously refuted the allegations and reaffirmed its impartiality, the Opposition remains steadfast in its claim that democratic norms are being undermined.
Against this backdrop, the Voter Adhikar Yatra, expanding protests by senior leaders in Parliament, and possible impeachment proceedings point to a growing confrontation between the Opposition alliance and the Election Commission.
Whether or not the motion ultimately succeeds, the political impact of such an unprecedented move is likely to reverberate across the national discourse, with democratic institutions and electoral transparency becoming core issues ahead of the upcoming elections.
For the INDIA bloc, the challenge will be to maintain unity, gather support beyond its immediate ranks, and convert these allegations into a larger movement for electoral accountability. For the Election Commission, it is a crucial moment to rebuild public confidence through proactive engagement, transparency, and strict adherence to the constitutional mandate of impartial electoral administration.

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