NEW DELHI, October 30 (Aalimi Nation) – The Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed the INDIA bloc's planned "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as political drama, even as opposition leaders said the event, scheduled for 3.30 pm on Friday, would go ahead at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.

The programme, to be held at 10 Rajaji Marg, is part of the opposition's campaign against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which parties in the bloc have linked to allegations of "vote chori", or vote theft. The allegations are contested. The Election Commission had not commented on the event at the time of writing.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will preside. Kharge will open proceedings and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will give concluding remarks, the organisers said. More than 30 speakers are expected, along with civil society members and people affected by the SIR, who will give testimonies.

The venue was shifted to Kharge's residence after the opposition was denied permission to use other venues, reports said. The event will be followed by an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1.

Kharge said the programme would not be a mock exercise. "We have decided it would not be a mock impeachment. We would have a proper impeachment process with a presiding officer there," he said.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the programme would address key questions about the SIR and alleged vote theft. Congress leader Udit Raj described it as an effort to raise public awareness about Parliament's functioning and the state of democracy.

BJP leader Ram Kadam said impeachment was a serious constitutional matter that should not be turned into political drama. "If you have any objections, approach the judiciary or submit evidence to the Election Commission," he said.

Another BJP voice questioned what message the opposition hoped to send through what it called a mock parliamentary exercise. The party has also stepped up a counter-campaign titled "Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy", with reported plans for programmes across the country. In Rajasthan, the BJP is aiming for more than 10,000 people at a foot march in Jaipur on November 5.

The event has no legal effect. A Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge, which requires a resolution backed by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Opposition MPs submitted notices against Kumar in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on March 12, and both were rejected on April 6. A fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, signed by 73 MPs, is still pending, according to reports.

After Friday's programme, the opposition is expected to focus on the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. The BJP has said its counter-campaign will continue, including the Jaipur foot march on November 5. Any formal move against the Chief Election Commissioner would have to come through Parliament, where the notice signed by 73 MPs remains pending.