Opposition parties will table a fresh notice to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after a pending Rajya Sabha motion remains unaddressed.

Opposition parties plan to introduce a fresh notice in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Background to the move

The proposal follows an earlier notice filed in the Rajya Sabha that remains pending before the parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the CEC's conduct. Sources said the pending notice has not yet been acted upon, prompting opposition leaders to consider a parallel motion in the Lok Sabha.

Joint strategy under discussion

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party's principal rivals, including the Indian National Congress and the Trinamool Congress, met this week to coordinate a joint strategy. They agreed to submit a petition that would be introduced in both houses of Parliament, aiming to accelerate the review process.

TMC urges swift, united response

The Trinamool Congress urged the opposition bloc to act quickly and present a united front. "We must move without delay to uphold the integrity of the electoral system," the party said in a statement released after the meeting.

Procedural steps

If the notice is tabled, the parliamentary committee will convene within the statutory timeframe to examine the allegations against the CEC. The committee’s findings could lead to a recommendation for removal, which would require a majority vote in each house.

Potential political impact

Analysts said the move could intensify scrutiny of the Election Commission ahead of upcoming state elections. A removal recommendation would also test the opposition’s ability to coordinate across party lines.

The opposition’s next step is to finalize the wording of the notice before the scheduled parliamentary session begins next week.