. NEW DELHI: The joint opposition on Friday moved Parliament for removal of Gyanesh Kumar as chief election commissioner (CEC), a critical step that takes the anti-BJP camp’s protest against the nationwide SIR and conduct of elections to the extreme limit that would further widen its already yawning chasm with the NDA. The removal notice comes just before EC announces schedule for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, where key INDIA bloc members are pitted against BJP, as also against each other. Opposition MPs submitted removal notices in both Houses of Parliament, with 130 Lok Sabha members and 63 from Rajya Sabha signing the petitions. The notices include not just INDIA bloc parties but also some Independent MPs and AAP which has been waging its own battle against EC, with grave allegations about Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi. Israel Iran War’About to surrender’: Trump makes big claim on Iran, says US ‘got rid of a cancer threatening us all’2 Indians killed, 10 injured in Iranian drone attack in Oman, says MEAAAP had walked out of the bloc after the 2024 LS polls. Sources in the INDIA bloc said the petitions have seven charges against Kumar, chiefly alleged “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office”, “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, “mass disenfranchisement of voters”, and “misbehaviour”. The opposition has also raised the issue over the SIR that was conducted for the 2025 Bihar polls and the forthcoming elections in states like West Bengal, and CEC’s partial conduct towards a political party, they said. The opposition has been accusing the EC of seeking to help BJP through SIR. CEC’s removal notice is a TMC initiative, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee having first made the demand during the Budget session in Feb. The move came to fruition after Mamata led a bellicose multiple-day protest in Kolkata. Process for removing CEC is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge – incumbent can be removed only on “grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity”. As per Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, once motion to remove a judge is admitted in LS or RS, speaker or chairman will constitute a three-member panel to probe the grounds. Once it submits its report, it will be tabled in the House and discussions will follow. The motion has to be passed by both Houses by majority of total membership and two-thirds majority of MPs present and voting. Given that NDA has majority in LS and RS, it makes the opposition’s move a non-starter. There was a quid pro quo of sorts that ensured an early submission of the notices in LS and RS. TMC did not sign the removal notice against Speaker Om Birla that was backed by other opposition parties, but it supported the notice when it came up in LS this week, after an understanding within the INDIA bloc to jointly sponsor the notice against the CEC.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Would Never Recover’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan, Cites BrahMos Strike In Op SindoorPM Modi Invokes Nehru To Accuse Congress Of Spreading Misinformation During US-Iran War CrisisMajor Diplomatic Win For India: Iran Envoy Fathali Signals Safe Passage For Indian Ships At Hormuz2 Indians Killed, 10 Injured In Oman Drone Attack; MEA Shares Latest On Citizens In GulfWhite House Tug-Of-War Over How To Declare Victory; Is Putin The Biggest Winner In Iran War?TMC Bid To Meet President Murmu Gets Snubbed By Rashtrapati Bhavan After Protocol ControversyAs LPG Shortage Panic Spreads, Centre Urges Citizens Not To Hoard Cylinders And Opt For PNGMenstrual Leave Debate Explodes As Supreme Court Warns Of Hiring Bias Against Women’Glad India Taking Initiative’: Cong MP Shashi Tharoor Lauds PM Modi’s Outreach To Iran PresidentEAM Jaishankar Holds Fourth Call With Iran Foreign Minister Amid Rising Strait Of Hormuz Tensions123PhotostoriesWhy Karnataka’s famous Mysuru silk saree could disappear from online stores10 ways to add Moringa to your daily meals in March and why it’s the perfect timeFrom undergoing seven painful IVF procedures to a pregnancy photoshoot before her miscarriage, Sambhavna Seth opens up about her difficult IVF journeyHow to identify sweet coconut water before buying a coconut6 easy kitchen hacks to clean gas burners and reduce LPG wastageQueues, panic and pressure: How Middle East tensions triggered India’s LPG alarmChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares how to recreate the most searched recipes at home5 luxury cars with massaging seats that make long drives relaxingEating too fast may be hurting your digestion and weight: Doctors explain the 20-minute ruleChefs share 5 tips which can make any boring meal super tasty123Hot PicksGold Price PredictionIndian RupeeStock Market TodayGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingPatrick MahomesBrittany Mahomes Net WorthWilt ChamberlainMovsar EvloevMichael BispingLPG Crisis IndiaMadison Pettis GirlfriendIran US WarIPL 2026 Chennai Super KingsMiddle East War
NEW DELHI: The joint opposition on Friday moved Parliament for removal of Gyanesh Kumar as chief election commissioner (CEC), a critical step that takes the anti-BJP camp’s protest against the nationwide SIR and conduct of elections to the extreme limit that would further widen its already yawning chasm with the NDA. The removal notice comes just before EC announces schedule for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, where key INDIA bloc members are pitted against BJP, as also against each other. Opposition MPs submitted removal notices in both Houses of Parliament, with 130 Lok Sabha members and 63 from Rajya Sabha signing the petitions. The notices include not just INDIA bloc parties but also some Independent MPs and AAP which has been waging its own battle against EC, with grave allegations about Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi. AAP had walked out of the bloc after the 2024 LS polls. Sources in the INDIA bloc said the petitions have seven charges against Kumar, chiefly alleged “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office”, “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, “mass disenfranchisement of voters”, and “misbehaviour”. The opposition has also raised the issue over the SIR that was conducted for the 2025 Bihar polls and the forthcoming elections in states like West Bengal, and CEC’s partial conduct towards a political party, they said. The opposition has been accusing the EC of seeking to help BJP through SIR. CEC’s removal notice is a TMC initiative, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee having first made the demand during the Budget session in Feb. The move came to fruition after Mamata led a bellicose multiple-day protest in Kolkata. Process for removing CEC is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge – incumbent can be removed only on “grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity”. As per Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, once motion to remove a judge is admitted in LS or RS, speaker or chairman will constitute a three-member panel to probe the grounds. Once it submits its report, it will be tabled in the House and discussions will follow. The motion has to be passed by both Houses by majority of total membership and two-thirds majority of MPs present and voting. Given that NDA has majority in LS and RS, it makes the opposition’s move a non-starter. There was a quid pro quo of sorts that ensured an early submission of the notices in LS and RS. TMC did not sign the removal notice against Speaker Om Birla that was backed by other opposition parties, but it supported the notice when it came up in LS this week, after an understanding within the INDIA bloc to jointly sponsor the notice against the CEC.
