Dhami slams INDIA Bloc: 'Couldn't make Rahul Gandhi PM even at artificial Sansad'
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami turned the INDIA Bloc's own 'public impeachment' spectacle into political ammunition, quipping that the opposition couldn't even crown Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister at its own symbolic parliament. The remark captures how the BJP is framing the bloc's growing anti-CEC campaign — as theatre by the power-starved, not a genuine democratic movement.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attacked the INDIA Bloc on 3 November over its symbolic 'artificial Sansad' event at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge 's residence.
Dhami alleged opposition protests during Diwali caused trader losses estimated at over ₹20,000 crore , citing a Delhi High Court observation.
The INDIA Bloc held a symbolic 'public impeachment' of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi at the Ramlila Maidan rally alleged Kumar removed 13.5 crore names from electoral rolls, calling it 'treason' linked to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah .
The BJP has framed the protests as an attempt to 'create anarchy' by leaders 'rejected by the public.'
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday, 3 November took a sharp swipe at the Congress and the INDIA Bloc opposition alliance, saying they failed to make Rahul Gandhi the 'Prime Minister' even at their own 'artificial Sansad' — a pointed reference to the bloc's symbolic 'public impeachment' event targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. Dhami was speaking to reporters at Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand.
Dhami's Attack on the Opposition
Alleging that the opposition was driven by frustration at being out of power, CM Dhami said: 'People who have been rejected by the public are now restless without power and are trying to create anarchy.' He also accused the protests of causing economic harm during the Diwali festival season, citing an estimate from the Delhi High Court that put losses to traders and small businesses at over ₹20,000 crore.
Targeting the Gandhi Family
Taking direct aim at the Gandhi family, Dhami noted that Rahul Gandhi and his family had long presided over Parliament, but were now 'ousted by the people' and had resorted to holding an 'artificial Sansad' at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. In a pointed jab, he said that even at that gathering, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was sidelined and Rahul Gandhi was still not elevated to the role of 'Prime Minister.'
The INDIA Bloc's 'Public Impeachment' Event
The event that triggered Dhami's remarks was a symbolic 'public impeachment' organised by the INDIA Bloc against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with the opposition alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This was followed by the alliance's 'Dilli Chalo' rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday, attended by senior opposition leaders.
What Rahul Gandhi Said at the Rally
Addressing the Ramlila Maidan rally, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 'vote theft' by Gyanesh Kumar was not an ordinary act. 'The "vote chori" carried out by him is of the "rarest of rare" category in legal terms,' he said. Rahul further alleged that Kumar had used EVMs and the removal of 13.5 crore names from the electoral rolls to carry out what he termed 'treason' and a theft of citizens' voices — actions he linked directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, warning they too would face consequences for 'attacking the Constitution and democracy.'
Political Context and What Comes Next
The exchange reflects an intensifying standoff between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INDIA Bloc, with the CEC controversy fast emerging as a central flashpoint ahead of upcoming state elections. The BJP has consistently framed the opposition's protests as anti-democratic disruptions, while the INDIA Bloc insists the integrity of the electoral process is at stake. How the Election Commission responds to the opposition's allegations — and whether the courts take up any formal challenge — will shape the trajectory of this dispute in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The removal of 13.5 crore names from electoral rolls and the opposition's allegations against the CEC, risks being buried under the theatre of the exchange. If even a fraction of the voter-deletion claims hold up to scrutiny, the dismissiveness of the ruling party's response could prove costly. India's democratic credibility ultimately rests on the perceived impartiality of the Election Commission, and any sustained perception of institutional capture — whether justified or not — is corrosive.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'artificial Sansad' that Uttarakhand CM Dhami referred to?
The 'artificial Sansad' refers to a symbolic 'public impeachment' event organised by the INDIA Bloc at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami used the term to mock the opposition gathering as illegitimate theatre.
Why is the INDIA Bloc targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
The INDIA Bloc has alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar oversaw irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including the removal of 13.5 crore names from voter lists. Rahul Gandhi at the Ramlila Maidan rally called the alleged 'vote theft' of the 'rarest of rare' category in legal terms.
What economic claim did CM Dhami make about the opposition protests?
CM Dhami alleged that protests held during the Diwali festival caused losses to traders and small businesses, citing a Delhi High Court estimate of over ₹20,000 crore in damages. He used this to argue the opposition was harming ordinary Indians through political disruption.
What did Rahul Gandhi say at the Ramlila Maidan rally?
Rahul Gandhi alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar used EVMs and voter roll deletions to steal votes, calling it treason on behalf of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He warned that Modi and Shah would also face consequences for what he described as an attack on the Constitution and democracy.
What happens next in this political standoff?
The confrontation between the BJP and the INDIA Bloc over the Election Commission is expected to intensify ahead of upcoming state elections. How the Election Commission responds to the opposition's formal allegations, and whether courts take up any legal challenge, will determine how this dispute evolves.
