New Delhi, October 28, 2026: The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties will hold their planned “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on October 30, after the Opposition said permission was denied for holding the programme at other venues in the national capital.
Kharge has invited INDIA bloc leaders to assemble at his official residence at 10 Rajaji Marg at 3:30 pm on October 30 for the political protest, which the Opposition describes as a public impeachment proceeding against the Chief Election Commissioner.
‘Public Impeachment’ Is a Political Protest
The proposed programme is not a formal constitutional proceeding for removing the Chief Election Commissioner.
Instead, the INDIA bloc is planning a mock or symbolic impeachment-style session to highlight its allegations against Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.
Any actual removal of a Chief Election Commissioner would have to follow the constitutional and parliamentary process prescribed under Indian law.
Venue Shift Confirmed for October 30
Congress has now confirmed that the event will be held at Mallikarjun Kharge’s Delhi residence.
Kharge has personally invited INDIA bloc leaders to attend the programme at 10 Rajaji Marg at 3:30 pm.
Hotel Ashoka Was Original Venue
The Opposition had originally planned to hold the event at the government-owned Hotel Ashoka.
Congress leaders said the venue had initially been considered for the programme but permission was later denied.
Ramlila Maidan Considered as Alternative
After the Hotel Ashoka plan fell through, Congress said it considered shifting the mock session to Ramlila Maidan.
The party alleged that Delhi Police also prevented preparations for the October 30 event there.
Congress Accuses Government of Blocking Event
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal accused the Centre of attempting to prevent the Opposition from holding the programme.
He alleged that the government was using administrative restrictions to stop the INDIA bloc’s campaign against the Election Commission.
The allegations have not been established independently, and the government has not accepted Congress’s characterisation.
21 INDIA Bloc Parties Expected to Participate
Congress says leaders from 21 INDIA bloc parties are expected to participate in the programme.
The gathering is intended to resemble a parliamentary-style debate in which Opposition leaders will present their allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Around 100 MPs Could Attend
Reports indicate that around 100 Members of Parliament may participate in the October 30 programme.
The final number will depend on attendance by leaders and representatives of INDIA bloc parties.
Protest Focused on CEC Gyanesh Kumar
The Opposition campaign specifically targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress and its allies have accused the Election Commission under Kumar of failing to adequately address their concerns over electoral-roll revisions and alleged irregularities.
The Election Commission has repeatedly maintained that electoral processes are conducted according to law and established procedures.
SIR at Centre of Opposition Campaign
One of the principal issues behind the protest is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition parties have alleged that voter deletions and irregularities during revision exercises could affect eligible electors.
They have demanded greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission.
Opposition Has Demanded CEC’s Removal
The INDIA bloc has repeatedly called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal.
The October 30 mock proceeding is intended to intensify political pressure on the Election Commission and the government over those demands.
No Formal Removal Motion Announced
Despite the language of “impeachment”, no formal parliamentary removal motion against Kumar has been announced as part of the October 30 event.
The gathering is therefore best understood as a political demonstration rather than a legal proceeding.
Constitutional Process Is Different
India’s Constitution provides substantial protection to the office of the Chief Election Commissioner.
A CEC can be removed only through a process similar to the removal of a Supreme Court judge, requiring parliamentary approval on specified grounds.
A political gathering or mock parliamentary session cannot itself remove the CEC.
Event Is Prelude to November 1 Rally
Congress describes the October 30 programme as a curtain-raiser to a much larger November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
The Opposition plans to mobilise supporters in Delhi as part of its campaign over alleged electoral irregularities.
‘Dilli Chalo’ Campaign Also Planned
Congress has also announced a “Dilli Chalo” march linked to the November 1 mobilisation.
The party says the campaign will focus on electoral transparency, voter-roll issues and its broader allegations of “vote chori”.
Delhi Police Gives Conditional NOC for November 1 Rally
While Congress says permission was denied for the October 30 mock session at earlier venues, Delhi Police has issued a no-objection certificate from the law-and-order perspective for the November 1 Ramlila Maidan rally, subject to approval from the land-owning agency and compliance with conditions.
Rally Must End by 5 PM
Among the conditions imposed, organisers have been told that the November 1 programme must conclude by 5 pm.
Participants will be required to begin dispersing immediately afterward.
Overnight Stay Not Permitted
Police have also said participants will not be permitted to stay overnight at the rally venue either before or after the programme.
Organisers have been asked to ensure compliance with crowd-management and security requirements.
Organisers Asked to Submit Detailed Plan
Congress has been asked to provide authorities with a detailed schedule for the November 1 rally.
This includes lists of invitees and volunteers, transport arrangements and the registration numbers of buses bringing participants to the venue.
Volunteers Must Be Identifiable
Organisers have also been instructed to deploy sufficient volunteers wearing common clothing or identification badges.
The measure is intended to help police and organisers manage the crowd safely.
No Separate March Beyond Approved Route
Delhi Police has specified that participants should not conduct an unauthorised march beyond the permitted venue or route.
The conditions are intended to prevent disruptions in central Delhi during the large political gathering.
Congress Escalates Pressure on Election Commission
The October 30 event marks another escalation in Congress’s confrontation with the Election Commission.
The party has increasingly made electoral-roll revision, voter deletions and alleged irregularities central themes of its national political campaign.
Rahul Gandhi Has Raised Similar Allegations
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also repeatedly questioned electoral processes and alleged problems in voter rolls.
These allegations form part of the wider Opposition campaign that will culminate in the October 30 mock session and November 1 rally.
Election Commission Rejects Political Pressure
The Election Commission has maintained that electoral-roll revision exercises follow statutory procedures and provide opportunities for voters and political parties to submit claims and objections.
Any specific allegations of wrongful deletion or inclusion must be examined through the prescribed electoral process.
Security Preparations Intensifying in Delhi
With Opposition leaders and large numbers of supporters expected in the capital, security arrangements are being strengthened ahead of the two events.
The October 30 programme will be smaller and held at Kharge’s residence, while the November 1 rally is expected to involve a substantially larger crowd.
Venue Dispute Adds Political Dimension
The dispute over where the Opposition can hold its mock impeachment has itself become part of the political confrontation.
Congress says the denial of its preferred venues represents an attempt to restrict dissent, while authorities have cited security and administrative considerations around political gatherings.
Kharge Residence Becomes Final Venue
The decision to use Kharge’s official residence allows the INDIA bloc to proceed without relying on a large public venue for the October 30 event.
Opposition leaders are now expected to gather there for the symbolic proceedings before shifting their focus to the November 1 mobilisation.
October 30 Event Could Intensify CEC Row
The programme is likely to keep the confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission in the national spotlight.
Although the “public impeachment” carries no constitutional force, it is designed to build political pressure on Gyanesh Kumar and amplify INDIA bloc allegations concerning electoral-roll management.
Political Protest, Not Constitutional Impeachment
The distinction remains crucial: Gyanesh Kumar is not being formally impeached on October 30.
The INDIA bloc is staging a symbolic political exercise using impeachment-style language as part of its campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Whether that campaign leads to any formal parliamentary initiative remains to be seen.
Source: The Indian Express, PTI, The New Indian Express, The Tribune, Economic Times
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