New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said Opposition parties are preparing articles of impeachment against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and may pursue his removal if he does not resign. His remarks came amid an ongoing dispute over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In an interview with India Today TV, the Thiruvananthapuram MP argued that Kumar’s legal immunity under a 2023 law did not amount to constitutional protection. He urged the CEC to step down, saying Opposition parties had lost confidence in his ability to oversee elections impartially.
Tharoor referred to Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The provision restricts courts from entertaining or continuing civil and criminal proceedings against serving or former election commissioners for acts connected with their official duties.
The provision has been challenged in the Supreme Court. In January 2026, the court issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission but did not stay the clause.
Article 324(5) of the Constitution states that the CEC can be removed only through the same process and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge. Other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC’s recommendation.
Tharoor Raises Concerns Over Electoral Roll Revision
Tharoor said the Opposition wanted the SIR exercise suspended until concerns about the process were addressed. Its demands, according to him, include restoring the names of eligible voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls, reviewing the software used in the exercise and reversing changes involving Forms 6 and 7.
Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls, while Form 7 is used to object to an entry or request deletion.
The Congress leader alleged that the software restricted Electoral Registration Officers from overriding deletions, even when they believed a voter’s name had been wrongly removed. He also referred to an investigation into voter deletions in Goa as an example of concerns that required scrutiny.
Tharoor said the Opposition was not against removing the names of deceased, absent or relocated voters. However, he questioned the speed of deletions and the time taken to process reviews and appeals.
He argued that the process placed an excessive burden on citizens to prove their eligibility after their names had been removed. He also cited cases involving notices issued to people whose family details or overseas representation were reportedly questioned.
Tharoor referred to economist Amartya Sen, alleging that his 94-year-old mother had been questioned over the age difference between them. He said such discrepancies should be assessed in the context of historical social practices rather than automatically treated as evidence of an irregularity.
The MP also cited a figure of 130 million deleted voters while questioning the credibility of the exercise. That figure and the broader allegations remain claims made by Tharoor and require independent verification.
He rejected the argument that Opposition parties were questioning electoral procedures only because they had lost elections. According to him, delays in appeals could prevent eligible voters from participating in more than one election.
Tharoor Criticises Removal of Jantar Mantar as Protest Site
Tharoor also criticised the decision to remove Jantar Mantar from Delhi’s list of designated protest venues. The government has identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative locations.
He argued that moving demonstrations away from central Delhi could make it harder for protesters to reach government officials and draw attention to their demands.
Tharoor also said Ramlila Maidan had limited booking availability, claiming that only December 29 to 31 remained available during 2026 when he checked. He questioned whether the alternative arrangements would provide protesters with practical access to suitable venues.
Opposition Says Electoral Reforms Are the Priority
Tharoor said the Opposition’s immediate objective was to address concerns over electoral roll revisions and ensure that elections were conducted fairly.
He maintained that Opposition parties would accept an electoral outcome favouring the BJP if the process was free and fair. He said the broader objective was to secure an impartial Election Commission and equal opportunities for political parties.
The Election Commission’s response to the specific allegations was not included in the statements provided. The claims surrounding the SIR process, the software used and the scale of voter deletions remain subjects of political dispute and scrutiny.
