BJP Dares INDIA Bloc to Dissolve Assemblies if They Doubt EC’s Fairness; Opposition Mulls Impeachment of CEC

PTI, NEW DELHI, AUG 18, 2025 :  The BJP on Monday dared INDIA bloc parties to dissolve state Assemblies where they are in power if they doubt the Election Commission's fairness, and alleged that their sole aim behind protesting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is to shield infiltrators.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters that it has become Rahul Gandhi's habit to cry "chor chor", claiming that it is ironic that leaders like him or RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, who is on bail in a corruption case like the Congress leader, are charging constitutional bodies with theft. He alleged that parties like the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) seek "complete chaos" in India and want the country to resemble the unrest seen in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

His attack on Opposition parties came after eight of them, including the Congress, TMC, SP, DMK and RJD, hit out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that instead of responding to questions raised by them, he chose to attack them at his presser on Sunday.

The ruling alliance and the Opposition have been involved in a war of words over the SIR of electoral rolls, with the latter forcing a virtual washout of Parliament's Monsoon session over the issue since it began on July 21.

Opposition parties on Monday accused the Election Commission of failing to discharge its Constitutional duty of ensuring a free and fair electoral system, and did not rule out moving an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom they alleged was acting like a "BJP spokesperson".

Addressing a press conference here, representatives of eight prominent parties -- Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, RJD, CPI(M), AAP and SS-UBT -- said the CEC had "failed" to answer their questions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues related to voter list irregularities and chose to attack them at his presser on Sunday.

The EC has "completely failed" in discharging its constitutional duty of ensuring a free and fair electoral system in the country. It has now become clear that the EC is not being led by officers who can ensure a level playing field, a joint statement on behalf of 20 opposition political parties alleged.

"The right to vote is the most important right given by the Constitution to a common citizen. Democracy depends on it. EC is the body meant to protect it... But we can see that the CEC did not reply to the important questions being raised by the political parties, and is running away from its responsibility," Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said at the press conference.

Asked how serious they are in moving a motion in Parliament to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Gogoi said: "The issue has been discussed and to a great extent an agreement has been reached. We will take the right decision at the right time."

RJD's Manoj Jha said, "All parliamentary and legal options are open before us, and will be used."

The procedure for removing the CEC is the same as that for removing a Supreme Court or High Court judge. As per law, the CEC can be removed only by Parliament. The Constitution says a motion supported by 50 MPs of the Rajya Sabha or 100 MPs of the Lok Sabha has to be moved in Parliament and passed by the House with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.

The statement by Opposition parties claimed that it is now clear that those who lead the EC "divert and thwart any attempt at a meaningful inquiry into voter fraud and instead opt to intimidate those who challenge the ruling party. This is a serious indictment."

It also said that "the CEC offered no comment or clarification on why the Bihar SIR was being conducted in such a hasty, ill-prepared and ad-hoc manner."

Noting that the Supreme Court is hearing the SIR issue and has not stopped the exercise, BJP's Patra asked if the "bench" of Opposition leaders is more authoritative than the highest judiciary.