Congress alleges hurdles to INDIA bloc’s proposed ‘public impeachment’ of CEC Gyanesh Kumar on October 30

The Congress on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) accused the Narendra Modi government of obstructing the INDIA bloc’s proposed “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, alleging that permission to hold the event at two venues had been denied following police intervention.

The Delhi Police, however, said they had received no request for permission to hold the proposed mock impeachment event.

“The government-run Ashok Hotel had initially granted permission for the event but withdrew it following police intervention, Congress general secretary (organisation),” K.C. Venugopal told reporters earlier in the day.

Twenty-one INDIA bloc parties had planned the mock impeachment as a curtain-raiser to the November 1 rally against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Mr. Venugopal said.

The event was initially to be held at the government-run Ashok Hotel, but that was backtracked after police intervention, he said. The Congress had then decided to shift the event to Ramlila Maidan since the party had booked the venue from October 25 to November 3, he added.

“The day before yesterday, when our people came to set up infrastructure, the police didn’t allow. This means it is not the Delhi Police’s decision. It is the decision of Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi and [Home Minister] Amit Shah and they are protecting their pet Gyanesh Kumar,” Mr. Venugopal alleged.

“Let it be very clear, come what may, we will not rest until Modi-Shah’s puppet Gyanesh Kumar is removed. If they stop us here, we will go to Amit Shah’s house, PM Modi’s house, and stage a massive dharna there. But we will fight to the finish, until our mission is accomplished,” the Congress leader said.

The Congress had sought permission only for a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, which was granted subject to several conditions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh told The Hindu. No separate request for a mock impeachment had been received, he said.

According to the permission letter issued by the Central district police, seen by The Hindu, the rally is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 1. The police have provided a no-objection from the perspective of law and order, subject to the organisers obtaining prior permission from the land-owning authority.

The police have imposed conditions on CCTV surveillance, security arrangements, water and toilet facilities, traffic management, and crowd control. The organisers have been directed to ensure that the rally remains peaceful and concludes by 5 p.m. No march towards any location outside Ramlila Maidan has been allowed. The rally’s organisers must also submit the list of invitees and volunteers, a minute-by-minute programme, and details of buses. The police have warned that inflammatory speeches must be stopped immediately and that violations could lead to legal action and revocation of permission.

“First they destroy the electoral system, and now they are trying all kinds of tricks to silence those who fight to save our democracy,” Mr. Venugopal said in a post on social media platform X.

Accusing the government of trying to “shut down criticism”, Mr. Venugopal said, “How many permissions will you deny, Mr Amit Shah? How many people will you stop?”

The INDIA bloc parties had explored venues, including Talkatora Stadium, Constitution Club, Mavlankar Hall, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, but had been unable to secure bookings or permission, the Congress leader said.

(Inputs from Lavpreet Kaur)