Kharge accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of treason during mock impeachment
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge levelled six charges against the Chief Election Commissioner during an INDIA bloc event in Delhi.
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of committing treason against the nation and the Constitution of India. According to reports by Outlook, Hindustan Times, and Deccan Chronicle, the allegations were made during a symbolic mock impeachment held at Kharge’s residence in Delhi.
Kharge levelled six charges against the CEC, alleging he was part of a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP to manipulate elections by allowing unauthorised access to voter lists. He also claimed that 13.2 crore voters were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in a manner that was partisan and opaque.
The opposition leader further alleged that Kumar amended Form 6 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, without parliamentary oversight, making it difficult for first-time voters to enrol. He also accused the CEC of centralising control of electoral rolls through ERONET/ECINET software to facilitate deletions.
Kharge alleged that Kumar sidelined the other two Election Commissioners despite them raising at least 14 objections. He also claimed the CEC acted in favour of the BJP and that members of Kumar's family received benefits, such as plum postings, in return for compliance.
The mock proceedings were presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and attended by several INDIA bloc leaders. The event was held ahead of a planned rally on November 1 seeking Kumar's removal. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticised the move, stating the opposition was attempting to vitiate the atmosphere.