The INDIA bloc plans a symbolic public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, followed by a “Dilli Chalo” march to Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, demanding electoral transparency and accountability.
The opposition INDIA bloc has announced plans to organise a symbolic “public impeachment” proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, followed by a large-scale “Dilli Chalo” march to Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1. The planned programmes are part of the opposition’s campaign demanding greater transparency and accountability in India’s electoral process.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K. C. Venugopal announced the proposed events on Saturday through a post on social media platform X. He said the public proceeding would communicate the opposition’s demand for Kumar’s removal and described the initiative as part of its campaign to “save the Constitution and defeat the Vote Chors.”
According to the announcement, opposition parties will organise a mock Parliament at Delhi’s Ashoka Hotel on October 30. The proposed session is expected to focus on the opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission and its demand for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Leaders and representatives of INDIA bloc constituent parties are expected to participate in discussions examining the functioning of the Election Commission and the concerns raised by opposition parties. The event is intended to provide a public platform for presenting their arguments and calling for greater scrutiny of electoral procedures.
The proposed exercise is symbolic and should be distinguished from a formal constitutional removal proceeding against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Following the October 30 programme, the alliance plans to organise the “Dilli Chalo March against Vote Chori,” culminating at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The opposition has set an ambitious target of mobilising at least one million citizens for the rally, according to the announcement.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to INDIA bloc parties requesting that their leaders, workers and members participate in the Delhi programmes in full strength. The appeal is aimed at coordinating participation among the alliance’s constituent parties and maximising attendance at the proposed demonstration.
The planned events come amid an ongoing political dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly its handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and accused the poll body of failing to address their objections adequately.
The opposition has repeatedly demanded accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner and sought changes to electoral procedures. Its leaders have used the slogan “Vote Chori” to describe their allegations of electoral malpractice.
The Election Commission’s independence and the integrity of electoral rolls have consequently become major subjects of political debate. The ruling side has rejected opposition allegations of bias and electoral malpractice, maintaining that the Commission operates independently and in accordance with the law.
The INDIA bloc’s latest announcement follows earlier opposition meetings and demonstrations focused on electoral transparency and the role of constitutional institutions. The proposed mock Parliament and public proceeding are intended to sustain public attention on these concerns ahead of the November 1 rally.
The opposition’s campaign also seeks to bring together political parties, supporters and members of the public around demands concerning the conduct of elections and the functioning of the poll body. The November rally is expected to provide a common platform for participating parties to reiterate their positions.
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With the two programmes scheduled within a span of three days, the INDIA bloc is preparing for a coordinated mobilisation in the national capital. The October 30 event will focus on a symbolic public proceeding against the CEC, while the November 1 march is intended to expand the campaign through a mass gathering at Ramlila Maidan.
The scale of participation and the response from the Election Commission and the government will be closely watched as the opposition continues to press its demands for electoral transparency and institutional accountability.
