New Delhi, March 11, 2026 — In a significant political escalation, the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led Opposition has collected signatures from more than 150 MPs across both Houses of Parliament for an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The move, initiated by the TMC, accuses the CEC of “proven misbehaviour,” “partisan and discriminatory conduct,” and facilitating “mass disenfranchisement” through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly in West Bengal.
TMC MP Saugata Roy confirmed that the party has secured the mandatory support — over 100 signatures from Lok Sabha MPs and 50 from Rajya Sabha MPs — and the notice is likely to be submitted to the President of India as early as Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. “We’re getting everyone to sign up for support. In a day or two, it will be confirmed when we will submit this,” Roy told reporters.
The INDIA bloc parties formally agreed to the proposal during a meeting chaired by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. TMC’s Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Satabdi Roy, raised the issue, and other parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), extended full backing. SP MP Dharmendra Yadav said, “Samajwadi Party is with them in this impeachment motion,” while another SP MP, Rajiv Rai, added that his party stands firmly with the TMC.
The impeachment drive stems from widespread Opposition protests against the Election Commission’s SIR exercise, whose final rolls for West Bengal were published on February 28. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been sitting on a dharna in Kolkata since March 6, alleging that lakhs of genuine voters — especially from minority and marginalised communities — were wrongly flagged or deleted. The Opposition claims the process was selectively aggressive in TMC-ruled West Bengal while being lenient elsewhere, pointing to “election fraud” and bias.
# What the Law Says
Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution and the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the CEC can be removed only in the “like manner and on the like grounds” as a Supreme Court judge. The notice must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members. If admitted by the Speaker or Chairman, a three-member inquiry committee is formed. Both Houses must then pass the motion by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting (and over 50% of total membership). The President issues the final removal order.
Opposition leaders privately admit the motion is largely symbolic, given the ruling NDA’s comfortable majority in both Houses, but insist it sends a strong political message ahead of key Assembly polls in West Bengal and other states.
This is the first time since Independence that an impeachment motion against a sitting CEC has reached the signature stage. The development comes amid heightened tensions in Parliament, including a separate no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The Election Commission is yet to respond officially to the impending notice. The Budget session is expected to see heated debates once the motion is formally moved.
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