‘A welcome step’: Opposition backs TMC’s move to bring impeachment motion against CEC

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties connected Wednesday voiced enactment for a connection by the All India Trinamool Congress to determination an impeachment question against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities successful the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls successful West Bengal.The connection was announced by Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, who said the enactment would question Kumar’s removal nether Article 324 of the Constitution of India, which governs the powers and functioning of the Election Commission.“We volition bring an impeachment question against the CEC arsenic per Article 324 of the Constitution. We person galore complaints regarding his functioning,” Roy said, according to quality bureau IANS.He besides claimed that a ample fig of voters had been placed nether scrutiny during the electoral rotation revision exercise.“59 lakh voters are connected the Adjudication list, which is simply a immense number. What Mamata Banerjee is saying is right… We volition determination it successful the Rajya Sabha successful a fewer days,” Roy said, arsenic quoted by quality bureau ANI.

Congress backs proposal, cites concerns implicit elector rolls

The Indian National Congress welcomed the Trinamool Congress’ move, saying it had been raising concerns astir alleged irregularities successful elector lists for immoderate time.Congress person Udit Raj said the enactment would enactment the motion.“It is simply a invited step. We person been warring connected this contented for rather immoderate time,” helium told IANS.He added that Congress had earlier raised concerns astir alleged ballot deletions and irregularities successful elector turnout during elections successful respective states.Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat besides criticised the behaviour of the electoral rotation revision exercise.“The mode the Special Intensive Revision has been conducted successful Bihar and West Bengal raises questions,” Bhagat said, alleging that specified exercises were sometimes utilized arsenic governmental tools.Independent MP from Purnia Pappu Yadav besides backed the request for enactment against the Chief Election Commissioner.“At present, it seems arsenic though the Election Commission is nary longer acting independently. There is simply a request to bring an impeachment question against the Chief Election Commissioner,” helium said.The Samajwadi Party besides supported the proposal, with MP Dharmendra Yadav saying the enactment would basal with the Trinamool Congress successful the impeachment move.

BJP criticises absorption move

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the opposition’s proposal, arguing that governmental parties should absorption connected electoral contests alternatively of targeting the Election Commission.BJP person Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said absorption parties should transmission their vigor into elections alternatively than confronting the canvass body.Union curate Sukanta Majumdar said the absorption lacked the numbers needed to determination specified a question and noted that the substance was presently nether judicial scrutiny.“First, fto them bring it up—right present they don’t person the numbers. The astir important happening is that they are questioning the Election Commission portion the substance is inactive sub-judice. The Supreme Court is monitoring the full issue,” helium said.BJP MP Anurag Thakur besides accused the Congress of undermining law institutions successful the past.“The Congress utilized to name conscionable astir anyone arsenic Election Commissioner and cripple the Election Commission,” Thakur said, arsenic quoted by quality bureau PTI.

Process for removal of CEC

Opposition MPs are expected to statesman collecting signatures from members of some Houses of Parliament to formally determination the motion.Under parliamentary rules, a announcement for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner requires signatures from astatine slightest 100 members of the Lok Sabha and 50 members of the Rajya Sabha.The process for removing the CEC is akin to that for the removal of a justice of the Supreme Court oregon a High Court and requires impervious of misbehaviour oregon incapacity. The question indispensable beryllium passed successful Parliament by a peculiar majority, according to parliamentary provisions.