Gyanesh Kumar Impeachment Motion: ‘A welcome step’: Opposition backs TMC’s move to bring impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar | India News
File photo: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
New Delhi: Opposition parties on Wednesday backed an all-India resolution Trinamool Congress to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar alleging irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s electoral roll.The motion was announced by Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, who said the party would seek Kumar’s removal under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, which governs the powers and functions of the Election Commission.“We will move an impeachment motion against the CEC under Article 324 of the Constitution. We have many complaints about its functioning,” Roy said, according to news agency IANS.He also claimed that a large number of voters were scrutinized during the electoral roll revision exercise.“59 lakh voters are in Roy’s list, which is a huge number. What Mamata Banerjee is saying is right… We will raise it in the Rajya Sabha in a few days,” Roy said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Congress supported the proposal, citing concerns over voter rolls
The Indian National Congress welcomed the move by the Trinamool Congress, saying it has been concerned about allegations of irregularities in the voter list for some time.Congress leader Udit Raj said the party would support the proposal.“This is a welcome step. We have been fighting this issue for quite some time,” he told IANS.He added that the Congress had earlier raised concerns over alleged deletion of votes and irregularities in voter turnout during elections in several states.Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also criticized the conduct of the electoral roll revision exercise.“The way in which Bihar and West Bengal have been particularly intensive raises questions,” Bhagat said, alleging that such practices are sometimes used as political tools.Purnia independent MP Pappu Yadav also supported the demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.He said, “At present, it seems that the Election Commission is no longer working independently. An impeachment motion should be brought against the Chief Election Commissioner.”The Samajwadi Party also supported the motion, with MP Dharmendra Yadav saying the party would side with the Trinamool Congress on the impeachment move.
The BJP criticized the opposition’s move
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders criticized the opposition’s proposal, arguing that political parties should focus on electoral contests rather than targeting the Election Commission.BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said opposition parties should use their strength in elections instead of facing the electoral body.Union Minister Sukanta Majumder said the opposition lacked the numbers required for such a movement and noted that the matter was currently under judicial investigation.“First, let them bring it up – they don’t have the numbers right now. The most important thing is that they are questioning the Election Commission while the matter is still pending. The Supreme Court is monitoring the whole matter,” he said.BJP MP Anurag Thakur also accused the Congress of undermining constitutional institutions in the past.“Congress would have appointed almost anyone as Election Commissioner and crippled the Election Commission,” Thakur was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Procedure to remove CEC
Opposition MPs are expected to begin collecting signatures from members of both houses of parliament to formally move the motion.As per parliamentary rules, a notice to remove the Chief Election Commissioner requires signatures of at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha and 50 members of the Rajya Sabha.The procedure for removing a CEC is similar to that of a Supreme Court or High Court judge and requires proof of misconduct or incapacity. As per the parliamentary rules, the motion has to be passed in the Parliament by a special majority.
