BJP accuses Congress of inciting violence against CEC via 'public impeachment'
Synopsis
The BJP has accused the Congress of using a symbolic 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to incite violence — even as the Supreme Court is actively hearing the SIR electoral roll case. With a 10-lakh-strong rally planned for 1 November and an ultimatum demanding the CEC's resignation by 30 October, the confrontation between the ruling party and the INDIA Bloc is rapidly escalating into a direct challenge to electoral institutions.
Key Takeaways
BJP on 28 October 2026 accused Congress of attempting to 'incite violence' against CEC Gyanesh Kumar through a planned 'public impeachment.' The event is scheduled for 30 October at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's official residence.
The dispute centres on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a matter currently before the Supreme Court .
The apex court has granted petitioners 10 days to file objections to the Election Commission's affidavit.
The INDIA Bloc plans a joint rally at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November , expected to draw around 10 lakh people.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation before 30 October as a condition for calling off the events.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, accused the Indian National Congress of attempting to 'incite violence' against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar by organising a so-called 'public impeachment' event. The allegation follows the Congress-led INDIA Bloc's announcement to hold the symbolic proceeding at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's official residence on 30 October, ahead of a joint opposition rally slated for 1 November at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi.
What the BJP Said
BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha characterised the opposition move as a 'mock judiciary campaign', questioning the Congress's faith in India's constitutional institutions. 'They are challenging our judicial system, mocking and taunting our judicial set-up. At a time when the matter is being heard in the Supreme Court — where the Election Commission has submitted its affidavit, and the apex court has granted 10 days to the petitioners to file any objections they may have — what is Congress trying to demonstrate?' Sinha said.
He further alleged: 'The Congress is inciting violence against Gyanesh Kumar through such mock impeachment. This proves that the Congress party is harmful for the country and its violent approach is proving to be dangerous for democracy.'
West Bengal BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh described the opposition as 'frustrated after having failed to garner support from the people', saying they were now 'resorting to such things.' BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo called the event a 'mockery' of Indian democracy, arguing that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had been conducted by Congress administrations in the past without similar objections. 'If they want to take any action against the CEC, they should follow the constitutional procedure,' Deo said.
The SIR Controversy and Supreme Court Proceedings
The dispute centres on the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the opposition has alleged is riddled with irregularities. The matter is currently sub-judice, with the Supreme Court having granted the petitioners 10 days to file objections to the Election Commission's affidavit. The BJP contends that the opposition's street-level proceedings are an attempt to subvert due judicial process while the courts are actively engaged.
Notably, Deo defended CEC Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the SIR exercise was aimed at removing illegal infiltrators from voter rolls — a claim the opposition contests. This is not the first time the SIR process has drawn political fire; similar disputes over electoral roll revisions have been a recurring flashpoint between ruling and opposition parties.
Opposition's Position and the November 1 Rally
All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba pushed back strongly, describing the 1 November rally at Ramlila Maidan as a mega event expected to draw around 10 lakh people from across India. 'The main slogan is “Save the Vote, Save the Nation, Save Democracy”. Nothing can stop this rally from happening now,' Lamba said.
She added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had already issued an ultimatum: the BJP-led government should accept CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation before 30 October if it wished to prevent the event. The Congress has not officially responded to the BJP's violence-incitement allegation as of the time of publishing.
What Happens Next
With the 'public impeachment' set for 30 October and the joint opposition rally on 1 November, the political temperature in New Delhi is expected to escalate sharply. The Supreme Court proceedings on the SIR matter will remain a parallel track, and any interim order could reshape the terms of the political standoff. The BJP is likely to mount further pressure on the Congress ahead of both events, while the INDIA Bloc appears committed to pressing its electoral roll grievances into a broader democratic-rights narrative.
Point of View
Even as it is being contested in court. India's election management credibility, not just partisan points, is on the line in the weeks ahead.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the BJP accusing Congress of inciting violence against the CEC?
The BJP alleges that Congress's plan to hold a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 30 October amounts to inciting violence against him and mocking India's judicial system. The party argues that since the SIR matter is already before the Supreme Court, the opposition should rely on the constitutional process rather than street-level proceedings.
What is the 'public impeachment' of CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
It is a symbolic, non-binding event organised by the Congress-led INDIA Bloc, scheduled for 30 October at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's official residence, to highlight alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It carries no constitutional or legal weight and is characterised by the BJP as a 'mock judiciary campaign.'
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and cleanse voter rolls, including the removal of ineligible entries. The opposition has alleged that the current SIR exercise is riddled with irregularities, a claim the BJP contests, arguing that Congress itself conducted similar revisions during its own tenures without objection.
What is the current status of the SIR matter in the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is actively hearing the case. The Election Commission has already submitted its affidavit, and the apex court has granted petitioners 10 days to file their objections. Any interim order from the court could significantly alter the political and legal dynamics surrounding the controversy.
What is the INDIA Bloc's November 1 rally about?
The INDIA Bloc has announced a joint rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on 1 November, themed around the slogan 'Save the Vote, Save the Nation, Save Democracy.' All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba has said the event is expected to draw around 10 lakh people from across India, making it one of the opposition's largest mobilisations ahead of the next electoral cycle.
