Congress bloc will hold a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on October 30 after Ashok Hotel denied permission.
21 parties in the coalition had booked Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3 for a massive rally, but the hotel’s initial permission was withdrawn after police intervention, forcing the move to Kharge’s home at 10 Rajaji Marg.
K C Venugopal, Congress General Secretary (Organisation), told PTI that the halt was a political manoeuvre by the central leadership and not a police decision. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of protecting the CEC, calling him a “puppet” of the government.
The impeachment is framed as a response to alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Venugopal warned that if the venue is blocked again, Congress would march to the Prime Minister’s house and stage a massive dharna.
A volunteer from the Congress volunteer brigade set up tents at Kharge’s residence yesterday, only to be halted by police officers who cited lack of permits. The worker, who has been part of the party’s ground team for three years, said the protest would proceed regardless of police interference.
The protest will kick off the bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, and officials have said they will address the venue issue soon, amid mounting pressure from opposition parties.