Leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Thursday to discuss preparations for a public impeachment-style programme targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, Meira Kumar, Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi attended the meeting, along with Mahua Manjhi, John Brittas, Derek O’Brien, RJD leader Abhay Sinha and Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik.
According to reports, the programme is being planned along the lines of a parliamentary proceeding, with the entire exercise structured like a session of Parliament.
On Tuesday, the Congress claimed it had been denied permission to hold the “public impeachment” of Kumar and accused the government of trying to “silence” the voice of the common people after “destroying” the electoral system.
Venugopal alleged that the government-run Ashok Hotel had initially granted permission to host the event but later withdrew it following police intervention. He said the Congress had booked Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3 and decided to shift the programme there.
The Opposition plans to use the “impeachment” programme as a curtain-raiser for its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
Quoting sources, ANI reported that around 40 speakers representing the treasury benches and the Opposition were likely to participate in the programme. A decision on who would portray CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was expected by Thursday.
Reports said Meira Kumar will preside over the function while Kharge will open the debate. Rahul Gandhi will deliver the closing remarks.
Preparations are underway at Ramlila Maidan for the event. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi urged people who “want to protect democracy and the Constitution” to join the ‘Chalo Delhi Ramlila March’ scheduled for November 1. He described it as a movement to “save democracy”, stop “vote theft” and protect the Constitution.
