INDIA Bloc to Stage Mock Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge's Residence
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In a dramatic escalation of its confrontation with the poll regulatory body, the opposition INDIA Bloc has finalized a high-profile mock parliamentary proceeding to execute a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, 2026. The coalition shifted the venue directly to the official residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital following a heated political standoff over venue clearances at New Delhi's prominent Ashoka Hotel. The planned confrontation serves as the curtain-raiser for a broader campaign targeting the Election Commission over the controversial SIR issue, with 21 constituent opposition parties demanding the immediate resignation of the poll chief and preparing for a massive march and demonstration at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
Venue Denied at Ashoka Hotel: Mock Impeachment Shifts to Mallikarjun Kharge's Residence
The opposition bloc’s sudden logistical shift follows alleged last-minute administrative interventions in the capital:
The Staged Impeachment Session: The multi-party opposition coalition plans to convene a mock parliamentary trial on October 30 to symbolically impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged partisan conduct surrounding the SIR issue.
Sudden Hotel Revocation: Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal disclosed that the Ashoka Hotel management had initially confirmed reservations and granted written permissions to host the session on its premises.
Direct Police Intervention Alleged: According to opposition leaders, hotel authorities subsequently backed out and canceled the booking citing instructions from law enforcement, prompting the 21-party grouping to shift the entire session directly inside Kharge's residence.
Venugopal Lashes Out at Centre: 'How Many Permissions Will You Deny?'
The cancellation sparked a furious response from top Congress leadership, targeting the Union Home Ministry over repeated venue blockades:
Direct Attack on the Home Minister: Questioning the administrative curbs, K.C. Venugopal posted a sharp retort: "Mr. Amit Shah, how many permissions will you deny? How many people will you stop? Twenty-one parties in the INDIA Bloc had planned a public impeachment against Gyanesh Kumar and a mega rally and march on November 1st."
Double Venue Stoppage Alleged: Venugopal accused authorities of systematically disrupting both scheduled events, stating that after the Ashoka Hotel cancellation, police apparatus began putting up hurdles for ground setup at the historic Ramlila Maidan.
Unified Opposition Demands: Leaders across the 21 constituent parties reiterated that administrative hurdles will not dilute their demand for Gyanesh Kumar to step down from the top constitutional post.
Delhi Police Clarifies Ramlila Maidan Status: NOC Granted With Land Authority Clause
Responding to the allegations of political obstructionism, the Delhi Police issued an official clarification regarding the upcoming mega-rally:
No Withdrawal of Law & Order Clearance: Senior Delhi Police officials clarified on Tuesday that they had not revoked the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for the INDIA Alliance rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
Conditional Clearance Explained: Police clarified that the formal NOC, dated October 17, was sanctioned strictly from a law-and-order standpoint and remained contingent upon the organizers securing prerequisite logistical clearances from the municipal land-owning agency.
The Application Timeline: The official police communication related directly to the Congress party's application to reserve Ramlila Maidan across an extended window from October 25 to November 3 to facilitate stage installation, crowd management, and public mobilization for the November 1 showdown.
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