Opposition parties are considering bringing an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, sources said on Sunday, as tensions escalate over allegations of “vote theft.”
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain indicated that the party is prepared to use “all democratic tools,” including impeachment, if required.
“If there is a need, we will use all the weapons of democracy under the rules. No formal discussions have taken place yet, but if needed, we can do anything,” Hussain told ANI.
The development comes a day after CEC Gyanesh Kumar dismissed allegations of bias made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, calling them an “insult to the Constitution.” Addressing the media, Kumar demanded that Gandhi either submit a signed affidavit to back his claims or issue a public apology.
“An affidavit will have to be given or an apology should be made to the country. Teesra koi vikalp nahi (There is no third option). If the affidavit is not received within seven days, it means that all these allegations are baseless,” Kumar said.
Rahul Gandhi, however, pushed back, questioning why the Election Commission sought an affidavit from him but not from BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who, he claimed, made similar remarks.
“The Election Commission asks for an affidavit from me. But when Anurag Thakur says the same thing, no affidavit is sought from him,” Gandhi argued.
Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the Opposition to avoid disrupting Parliament over EC-related disputes and instead address such matters directly with the poll body.