Opposition submits fresh notice for removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Rajya Sabha

This comes weeks after the notice for motion to impeach Gyanesh Kumar was rejected by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, who had both said that the allegations levelled by the Opposition members “lack the proof necessary to constitute misbehaviour which establishes a prima facie case for removal of Chief Election Commissioner”.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman had also said that “admitting removal motions based on administrative disagreements or political perceptions would jeopardise its very independence, the Constitution aims to safeguard”.

“These allegations, even if presumed to be factually correct, do not amount to any act of misbehaviour attributable to the Chief Election Commissioner,” the V-P had said.

In an effort led by the TMC, the Opposition had earlier submitted the impeachment motions against Kumar in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on March 12, with 130 MPs signing the former and 63 the latter. To be admitted, an impeachment motion needs to be signed by at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha.

After the notices for impeachment of Kumar were rejected by Parliament, Opposition parties had criticised the move, with TMC MP Derek O’Brien alleging a “mockery of our great Parliament”.