Opposition Seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal
Opposition Seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal
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Key Points
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The reported objections were recorded four times on a single day, with the orders allegedly issued without the knowledge of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
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Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a screenshot of the report on X and said Abhishek Singhvi would brief the media about what he called revelations concerning the CEC’s handling of the Election Commission.
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Congress MP Manish Tewari said the reported departures from required decision-making rules could make the Election Commission’s decisions “per se arbitrary and capricious, if not completely illegal,” and suggested the matter could warrant consideration of impeachment proceedings.
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RJD MP Manoj Jha said the report indicated that written dissent, requests for clarification and warnings had been raised repeatedly over 10 months, arguing that the Election Commission had confused lawful discretion with “arbitrary caprice.”
Opposition parties are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a media report revealed that two other Election Commissioners formally objected at least 14 times over 10 months to his decisions on electoral-roll revisions. Outlook India reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised concerns about voter registration, deletions, software changes, and appeals — with some orders allegedly issued without their knowledge. Congress, RJD, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party leaders say Kumar is undermining the Election Commission's independence and risking the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh called the allegations revelations about Kumar's handling of the Election Commission and said the party would brief the media. Congress MP Manish Tewari suggested the reported rule violations could make Election Commission decisions "per se arbitrary and capricious, if not completely illegal," and warned impeachment proceedings may be warranted. The Election Commission and Kumar have not yet responded to the allegations.
Two Commissioners Raised 14 Formal Objections
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected repeatedly to decisions made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Deccan Herald reported that four objections were recorded on a single day, with orders allegedly issued without the two commissioners' knowledge or involvement in the decision-making process. The objections covered voter registration, deletions from electoral rolls, electoral-roll software changes, and appeals procedures.
Varthabharat reported that the dissent spanned 10 months and included written objections, requests for clarification, and formal warnings. Opposition leaders characterized the pattern as "one-man autocracy" and argued that Kumar had confused lawful discretion with "arbitrary caprice." The frequency and nature of the objections suggest a systematic breakdown in the Election Commission's required collegial decision-making process.
Congress and RJD Demand Investigations and Possible Impeachment
Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that departures from required decision-making rules could render the Election Commission's decisions "per se arbitrary and capricious, if not completely illegal." He suggested the matter might warrant consideration of impeachment proceedings against Kumar. RJD MP Manoj Jha told ANI that the report indicated Kumar had overstepped his authority and confused lawful discretion with "arbitrary caprice."
Opposition parties collectively called for the removal of Kumar and reviews of recent Election Commission decisions. Some leaders, including Congress members, demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations. The opposition's primary concern is that the reported violations of collegial decision-making could have affected electoral outcomes or voter eligibility across recent elections and revisions.
Uddhav Thackeray Accuses Kumar of Threatening Democracy
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joined the chorus of opposition demands, accusing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of indulging in "hunger for power" and threatening Indian democracy. Daily Hunt reported that Thackeray alleged the Election Commission has acted against his party in the past and that Kumar's unilateral approach poses a risk to the electoral system's integrity and independence.
Thackeray's criticism echoed broader opposition concerns that the Election Commission's institutional checks and balances have been compromised. Multiple parties framed the issue as a constitutional crisis requiring immediate intervention. As of the latest reports, the Election Commission and Kumar have not addressed the specific allegations or the opposition's demands.
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