UPDATED: Oct 31, 2026 13:46 ISTA major political confrontation has erupted between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition INDIA bloc over a symbolic public impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp counterattack against the opposition, questioning how the Congress secured only 44 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections under election commissioners appointed during the UPA tenure, and whether past Summary Revision exercises were also illegal.

The opposition planned the mock impeachment proceeding at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, with Rahul Gandhi slated to deliver the closing remarks. While the opposition accuses the poll body of undermining democratic fairness and demands Gyanesh Kumar step down, the BJP has defended the Election Commission, calling the mock proceedings an insult to Parliament and the Constitution.

The controversy unfolds ahead of a scheduled opposition demonstration at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, amidst broader legal discussions regarding the limits and regulation of public protests. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSRahul Gandhi Issues Chalo Dilli Call, Traders Object, INDIA Bloc Plans MarchCongress leader Rahul Gandhi has issued a renewed call for the Chalo Dilli protest scheduled for November 1, urging citizens and INDIA bloc leaders to join a march starting from the Connaught Place Minto Junction via Ajmeri Gate to Ramlila Maidan at 12:00 PM.

The planned march and rally will precede an address to party workers and supporters. The appeal comes amid concerns from national capital traders who requested the opposition not to hold the protest on a weekend ahead of Diwali.

Gandhi shared a roadmap of the demonstration route to build momentum against the central government.Congress Faces Flak Over EVM Doubts as Karnataka Ballot Paper Poll Losses HighlightedA political row has erupted over criticisms leveled at Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), highlighting Karnataka Legislative Council election outcomes where polling was held via paper ballots. The report details how the Congress party had registered state government employees into voter rolls across teacher and graduate constituencies spanning 133 assembly segments, significantly driving up voter rolls to 2,60,000.

Despite using paper ballots and claiming prior victory, Congress faced defeats across the council seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party secured major wins. The statements question opposition claims regarding EVMs and political hypocrisy over electoral processes.Delhi Traders Urge INDIA Bloc To Reschedule November 1 Rally, Cite Peak Diwali Business LossThe Chamber of Trade and Industry, representing traders in Delhi, has appealed to leaders of the INDIA bloc to postpone the proposed opposition rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan.

Traders requested that the event be held after Diwali, specifically around November 10 or 11, citing massive business disruptions during the festive season. According to the traders' body, central Delhi markets witness significant footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali.

A major rally drawing an estimated one million people and thousands of vehicles would severely congest central Delhi, stalling business worth ten to twelve thousand crore rupees across twenty historic markets, including Chandni Chowk.Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Launched, Reduces Travel Time and Enhances AmenitiesIndian Railways has launched the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, marking the country's second Vande Bharat sleeper service. Equipped with modern amenities and an advanced safety system, the train connects Varanasi and New Delhi via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad.

Compared to the Shiv Ganga Express, it reduces travel time by 55 minutes from Varanasi to New Delhi and by 35 minutes on the return route. The service aims to provide faster overnight travel between key urban centres and pilgrimage destinations.