New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are learnt to have agreed to support a fresh opposition notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The proposed notice is being prepared amid renewed opposition criticism of the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties are seeking to submit notices in both Houses of Parliament, according to reports.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby met AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, while TMC's Derek O'Brien met AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday as opposition leaders worked to secure wider support for the proposed motion. DMK leader Kanimozhi had also met TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on September 17.
AAP and DMK have distanced themselves from the Congress-led INDIA bloc but have continued to coordinate with opposition parties on specific issues, including concerns related to the Election Commission and SIR. Both parties had earlier signed a June 28 letter to the Chief Justice of India raising concerns about the poll panel's functioning and the electoral-roll revision exercise.
The proposed move follows a report by The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions and procedures connected with SIR and other electoral matters. The report said such objections were recorded at least 14 times over a 10-month period.
The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously. The Commission has also described differences and observations within the three-member body as part of institutional deliberations.
The opposition had previously attempted to move removal motions against Kumar. Notices submitted in both Houses in March were rejected by the respective presiding authorities, while another notice was submitted in the Rajya Sabha in April.
Under the constitutional procedure, removal of the Chief Election Commissioner requires a process involving Parliament and the President. The latest notice is still being drafted and is expected to undergo legal scrutiny before submission.
Kumar has been serving as Chief Election Commissioner since February 19, 2025, with Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi serving as the other two Election Commissioners.
