Gyanesh Kumar’s continuation as CEC an assault on Constitution: Congress

MPs from Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), RJD and IUML are signatories to the notice against CE

PTI, Apr 24, 2026, New Delhi: After 73 opposition MPs gave a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha to move a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Congress on Friday said Kumar’s continuation in the post is an assault on the Constitution.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that it is a “disgrace” that Kumar continues to occupy the post of CEC and “do bidding for the prime minister and the home minister”.

MPs from the Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), RJD and IUML are signatories to the notice against the CEC.

In an X post, Ramesh wrote, “73 Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha have just submitted to its Secretary General a fresh notice of motion for presenting an address to the President of India praying for the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, on the ground of proven misbehaviour constituted by acts and omissions committed on and after March 15, 2026, within the meaning of Article 324 (5) of the Constitution of India read with Article 124(4) thereof, Section 11(2) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.”

“There are now nine specific charges against the CEC that have been documented in great detail and that simply cannot be denied or whitewashed away. His continuation is an assault on the Constitution. It is an absolute disgrace that the man continues to be in office to do the bidding of the PM and HM,” Ramesh said.

Among the charges against Gyanesh Kumar in the notice for his removal include a partisan asymmetry in the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and “conduct unbecoming of a constitutional functionary” during a meeting with an AITC delegation on April 8.

Besides, it also pointed to administrative lapses and “institutional proximity” to the ruling party while citing the Kerala seal incident.

One of the charges included “mass disenfranchisement in West Bengal”, whereby around 91 lakh voters were deleted and around 34 lakh voters were judicially excluded from franchise.

Another charge alleged wilful non-action on specific complaints of partisanship, and enforcing a “defective special intensive revision of electoral rolls and alleged abuse of power in directing transfers and postings of bureaucrats in Tamil Nadu”.

Opposition parties on Friday submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to move a motion for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The fresh charges against the CEC include “continued partisan asymmetry in the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct”.

The opposition has accused the poll panel of not acting on complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “address to the nation” on April 18, ahead of Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Referring to concerns raised by various opposition parties, the notice said, “As on the date of this notice, Gyanesh Kumar has issued no show-cause notice, no advisory, and no public response to any of the said complaints.”

According to sources, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC leader Sagarika Ghose submitted the notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General.

The notice was signed by 73 Rajya Sabha MPs against a requirement of 50 signatures.

The move comes days after similar notices submitted by opposition MPs in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were rejected by the respective presiding officers. It was the first time that a notice seeking the removal of a CEC was submitted in Parliament.