Opposition stages 'public impeachment' of CEC, plans Ramlila Maidan march today

Days after street marches over the voter-roll revision, the opposition has made the Chief Election Commissioner its single biggest target — and plans a Ramlila Maidan show of strength today.

The event at Kharge's residence brought together top INDIA bloc leaders in what the opposition framed as a people's court against the Election Commission. With Meira Kumar presiding, leaders passed a resolution against the CEC, alleging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being weaponised to delete genuine voters and favour the ruling BJP. Some leaders went further, demanding that the CEC face trial for 'treason'.

The BJP dismissed the exercise as political theatre, accusing the opposition of mocking Parliament and the institutions of democracy, and took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi in the process. The war of words caps weeks of escalation over the SIR — including opposition marches to the Election Commission, FIRs in Delhi, and a Supreme Court hearing — that has turned voter rolls into the country's most combustible political issue.

The opposition has vowed to take the fight to the streets with a march to Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1, keeping the pressure on the poll body. How the Election Commission and the government respond to the direct personal targeting of the CEC will set the tone for the confrontation in the days ahead.