INDIA Bloc Plans Mega Rally and Mock Impeachment of CEC

The INDIA bloc is mobilizing for a massive 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition accuses Kumar of orchestrating 'vote chori' (vote theft) through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they claim illegally disenfranchised millions of voters. As a precursor to the rally, the coalition will hold a symbolic 'Public Impeachment' of Kumar via a mock Parliament on October 30 at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi.

Legal challenges are proceeding in the Supreme Court of India, where the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently filed a counter-affidavit defending the SIR as a unanimous decision by its commissioners. The ECI denied unauthorized amendments to the statutory Form 6, though the court is continuing its examination of the matter. Parallel protests have emerged in Tripura and Himachal Pradesh, with leaders alleging that the SIR process violates the 1960 electoral registration rules.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has condemned the November 1 date, claiming it is insensitive to victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Additionally, the Chamber of Trade and Industry requested a postponement to avoid disrupting Diwali business. Rahul Gandhi rejected these requests, sarcastically thanking the BJP for promoting the event. In response, the BJP launched its own 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign to promote voter-list accuracy.