New Delhi, India — February 4, 2026
India’s opposition parties are moving toward a collective decision on a potential impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought his removal over alleged irregularities in voter list revisions.
The demand, initially raised amid a dispute over a special voter list revision drive in West Bengal, has now drawn support from the Indian National Congress and the Samajwadi Party, signaling growing opposition unity on the issue.
Congress Says Opposition Will Decide Collectively
Congress leader K. C. Venugopal said on Wednesday that the opposition would take a collective call on whether to move an impeachment motion against the CEC. He described Banerjee’s concerns as “relevant” and confirmed that the Trinamool Congress has reached out to the Congress to discuss the matter.
“The entire opposition will deliberate and take a joint decision,” Venugopal said, indicating that consultations are ongoing.
Akhilesh Yadav Extends Support
Backing Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling BJP of undermining voter rights. He urged citizens to speak up, saying that losing the right to vote amounts to losing fundamental democratic rights. “We stand with Mamata Banerjee,” Yadav said.
When asked for his response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declined to comment on the issue.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Raises Transparency Concerns
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasized the need for transparency in electoral processes. She alleged that voter deletions on a large scale were eroding democratic rights and said Banerjee had taken the matter to the Supreme Court of India, a move she welcomed. Chaturvedi expressed hope that judicial scrutiny would help preserve the credibility of the Election Commission of India.
Why the Impeachment Demand Arose
The controversy stems from a special voter list revision exercise in West Bengal, which Banerjee has consistently opposed. She alleges that the process led to wrongful deletion of names of voters traditionally supportive of her party. Banerjee has also claimed that her meeting with the CEC did not go well, prompting her to walk out and subsequently demand impeachment while seeking support from other opposition parties.
How the Impeachment Process Works
The removal of a Chief Election Commissioner follows a process similar to that for a Supreme Court judge. An impeachment motion can be introduced in either House of Parliament on grounds of “proven misbehavior” or “incapacity.” Passage requires a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Opposition unity is taking shape as Mamata Banerjee’s call for impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar gains traction. With Congress and the Samajwadi Party backing the demand, opposition leaders say a collective decision is imminent—turning a state-level voter list dispute into a national political flashpoint.
