Congress Plans Public Impeachment Programme for CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge’s Residence on October 30

Congress Announces Public Impeachment Programme Against CEC

The Congress-led INDIA bloc has announced plans to hold a public impeachment-style programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, 2026, at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced the decision on social media on October 28, saying the programme would take place at 10, Rajaji Marg, at 3:30 pm on Friday.

The event is intended to provide the Opposition with a public platform to present its allegations against Kumar over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions.

The programme will take place two days before the INDIA bloc’s planned November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, where Opposition parties intend to raise concerns about alleged electoral irregularities and “vote chori”.

Why Is the INDIA Bloc Targeting Gyanesh Kumar?

The INDIA bloc has been criticising the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have alleged that the revision process could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters and have raised questions about changes to voter registration procedures, including Form 6.

Congress leaders have also questioned the Commission’s internal decision-making and its response to reports about disagreements among Election Commissioners.

The ECI, however, has maintained that its SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously and that its actions follow the applicable legal and statutory framework.

The allegations made by Opposition parties remain disputed and have not been established as findings of wrongdoing by a court.

Programme Shifted to Kharge’s Residence After Venue Dispute

The decision to hold the programme at Kharge’s residence came after the Congress said it encountered difficulties obtaining permission to organise the event at other locations.

The party had initially planned to hold the programme at the government-run Ashok Hotel. Congress leaders subsequently said permission for the event was denied and that preparations for an alternative programme at Ramlila Maidan were also obstructed.

Congress general secretary (organisation) K. C. Venugopal criticised the developments, alleging that the authorities were attempting to prevent the Opposition from raising its concerns publicly.

The Congress then decided to move the programme to Kharge’s residence.

However, the police and organisers have offered different accounts of the permission issue. Police sources said the party had not submitted a separate application for the October 30 programme at Ramlila Maidan. The police also clarified that permission for the November 1 rally had not been withdrawn, although it remained subject to conditions and approval from the land-owning authority.

What Will Happen During the Public Programme?

The proposed event is expected to take the form of a mock parliamentary or public proceeding in which Opposition leaders will present their case against the CEC.

Reports indicate that INDIA bloc MPs, legal professionals, civil society representatives and other participants are expected to attend.

The programme is intended to explain the Opposition’s allegations concerning electoral-roll management and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The term “public impeachment” is being used by the Opposition to describe this political exercise. It is not a formal constitutional impeachment proceeding and does not itself remove the CEC from office.

Congress Accuses Authorities of Trying to Silence the Opposition

Congress leaders have alleged that the difficulties in securing a venue reflect an attempt to restrict their political campaign.

Venugopal said the Opposition would continue its agitation until its demands concerning Gyanesh Kumar were addressed.

Jairam Ramesh also accused the CEC of violating the spirit of the Constitution and undermining electoral democracy. These statements represent the Congress’s political position and have not been established as judicial findings.

The BJP and other supporters of the Election Commission have rejected the Opposition’s interpretation of the controversy, arguing that internal differences and observations are part of normal institutional deliberations.

Parliamentary Notices Seeking the CEC’s Removal

The controversy has also extended to Parliament.

Opposition parties have submitted notices seeking the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier notices were rejected by the two Houses, while another set of notices was reported to be pending in the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition’s campaign has therefore moved along two parallel tracks: parliamentary efforts to seek the CEC’s removal and public demonstrations aimed at highlighting alleged electoral irregularities.

The public programme planned for October 30 is part of the latter strategy.

Supreme Court Is Also Hearing Election Commission-Related Cases

The dispute over the Election Commission’s functioning is also being examined through legal proceedings.

The Supreme Court has been hearing petitions concerning the SIR exercise and changes to electoral-roll procedures, including Form 6.

During a recent hearing, the court issued notice on a petition filed by Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen challenging changes relating to voter enrolment. The court has also heard arguments concerning the preservation of internal records and the Commission’s claim that key decisions were taken unanimously.

The existence of these proceedings does not establish the Opposition’s allegations. The legal questions remain subject to judicial examination.

November 1 Rally at Ramlila Maidan

The public programme at Kharge’s residence is expected to serve as a precursor to the INDIA bloc’s “Dilli Chalo” rally on November 1, 2026, at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

The Congress has said the rally will focus on alleged “vote chori”, electoral-roll revision and demands for accountability from the Election Commission.

Delhi Police has clarified that it has not withdrawn its no-objection certificate for the November 1 rally. The event remains subject to the necessary approvals and conditions, including arrangements for crowd management, facilities for attendees and the requirement to conclude the gathering by 5 pm.

The rally is expected to bring together Opposition leaders from several parties as they coordinate their campaign against the CEC.

What Happens Next?

The public programme is scheduled for October 30 at 3:30 pm at Kharge’s residence.

The November 1 rally will follow at Ramlila Maidan, subject to the required permissions and conditions.

The political confrontation is likely to continue as the INDIA bloc presses its allegations against the Election Commission, while the ECI maintains that it has acted within the law.

Whether the Opposition’s campaign leads to further parliamentary action or changes in the legal proceedings will depend on developments in Parliament and the courts.

Key Takeaways

• The Congress-led INDIA bloc plans a public impeachment-style programme against CEC Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, 2026.

• The event is scheduled for 3:30 pm at 10, Rajaji Marg, the official residence of Mallikarjun Kharge.

• The programme was shifted after the Congress reported difficulties obtaining venues at Ashok Hotel and Ramlila Maidan.

• The Opposition’s allegations concern the SIR exercise, voter enrolment and the functioning of the Election Commission.

• The Election Commission has maintained that SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously and under the applicable legal framework.

• The “public impeachment” is a political demonstration, not a formal constitutional proceeding to remove the CEC.

• The event will precede the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged “vote chori”.

• Parliamentary and judicial proceedings concerning the Election Commission are continuing.

Bottom Line

The Congress-led INDIA bloc is moving its planned public impeachment-style programme against CEC Gyanesh Kumar to Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence after reporting difficulties securing other venues. Scheduled for October 30, the event is intended to present the Opposition’s allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and the SIR process.

The programme will be followed by a November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. While the Opposition is demanding accountability from the CEC, the Election Commission maintains that its decisions were taken through established procedures. The allegations remain contested, and the public programme itself has no formal constitutional power to remove the CEC.