File photo: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Wednesday voiced support for a proposal by the All India Trinamool Congress to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.The proposal 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 functioning of the Election Commission.“We will bring an impeachment motion against the CEC as per Article 324 of the Constitution. We have many complaints regarding his functioning,” Roy said, according to news agency IANS.He also claimed that a large number of voters had been placed under scrutiny during the electoral roll revision exercise.“59 lakh voters are on the Adjudication list, which is a huge number. What Mamata Banerjee is saying is right… We will move it in the Rajya Sabha in a few days,” Roy said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Congress backs proposal, cites concerns over voter rolls
The Indian National Congress welcomed the Trinamool Congress’ move, saying it had been raising concerns about alleged irregularities in voter lists for some time.Congress leader Udit Raj said the party would support the motion.“It is a welcome step. We have been fighting on this issue for quite some time,” he told IANS.He added that Congress had earlier raised concerns about alleged vote deletions and irregularities in voter turnout during elections in several states.Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also criticised the conduct of the electoral roll revision exercise.“The way the Special Intensive Revision has been conducted in Bihar and West Bengal raises questions,” Bhagat said, alleging that such exercises were sometimes used as political tools.Independent MP from Purnia Pappu Yadav also backed the demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.“At present, it seems as though the Election Commission is no longer acting independently. There is a need to bring an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.The Samajwadi Party also supported the proposal, with MP Dharmendra Yadav saying the party would stand with the Trinamool Congress in the impeachment move.
BJP criticises opposition move
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the opposition’s proposal, arguing that political parties should focus on electoral contests instead of targeting the Election Commission.BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said opposition parties should channel their energy into elections rather than confronting the poll body.Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said the opposition lacked the numbers needed to move such a motion and noted that the matter was currently under judicial scrutiny.“First, let them bring it up—right now they don’t have the numbers. The most important thing is that they are questioning the Election Commission while the matter is still sub-judice. The Supreme Court is monitoring the entire issue,” he said.BJP MP Anurag Thakur also accused the Congress of undermining constitutional institutions in the past.“The Congress used to appoint just about anyone as Election Commissioner and cripple the Election Commission,” Thakur said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Process for removal of CEC
Opposition MPs are expected to begin collecting signatures from members of both Houses of Parliament to formally move the motion.Under parliamentary rules, a notice for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner requires signatures from at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha and 50 members of the Rajya Sabha.The procedure for removing the CEC is similar to that for the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court and requires proof of misbehaviour or incapacity. The motion must be passed in Parliament by a special majority, according to parliamentary provisions.
