Fresh bid to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Opposition submits new notice signed by 73 MPs in Rajya Sabha | India News
New Delhi: Opposition parties on Friday submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 73 MPs have signed the notice.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that there were nine specific charges against the CEC based on ‘proved misconduct’ and termed its continuation as an attack on the Constitution. In a post on X, he wrote: “The 73 opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha have just served a fresh notice to its Secretary General to address a letter to the President of India, to remove the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Mr. Gyanesh Kumar, on the grounds of proven misconduct constituted by acts and omissions committed on and after March 15, 2020. Article of the Constitution of India 124(4), read with Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure of Office) Act, 2023 and Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. There are now nine specific allegations against the CEC which have been documented in great detail and which cannot be denied or whitewashed. Its continuity is an attack on the constitution. It is disgraceful that the man continues to be in office to do the bidding of the Prime Minister and HM.” Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and spokesperson Derek O’Brien said on Monday that the opposition would send a fresh impeachment notice against the CEC with additional allegations. “19 political parties and around 300 MPs had earlier sent an impeachment notice against the CEC. In the coming days, a fresh impeachment notice will be brought with additional charges,” O’Brien told reporters at a press conference in Kolkata.Also Read | CEC opposes new motion to remove Gyanesh Kumar, says TMC’s Derek O’Brien; BJP accused of ‘conspiracy’ in Bengal Earlier this month, notices submitted to both houses of Parliament seeking Kumar’s removal were rejected by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan.Opposition parties have accused Kumar of ‘partial behaviour’, alleging that he is in favor of the ruling BJP, particularly in relation to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. The earlier notice, backed by more than 193 MPs from multiple opposition parties, cited a number of allegations, including his concern over ‘proven misconduct’ and the revision of electoral rolls in states like Bihar and West Bengal.The move comes amid heightened political tension as the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections was held on Thursday, with disputes over voter list revisions and election commission administrative decisions becoming major flashpoints.Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the procedure for removing the Chief Election Commissioner is the same as that of a Supreme Court judge. It requires a supermajority in Parliament and can only be initiated on proven misconduct or incapacity. Once admitted, a committee comprising senior judicial members and an eminent jurist examines the allegations and the CEC is given an opportunity to defend itself before any further proceedings.
