Delhi to Host Mock Parliament and INDIA Alliance’s ‘People’s Impeachment’ Programme on October 30
Delhi will host two separate programmes on electoral processes and democratic institutions on Friday, October 30. Citizens for Democracy will organise a mock parliament, while the opposition INDIA alliance will hold a symbolic ‘People’s Impeachment’ programme targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The two events will focus on issues surrounding the electoral system, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the role of the Election Commission. However, the programmes will follow different formats.
Citizens for Democracy has organised its event along the lines of parliamentary proceedings under the theme ‘Democracy vs Anarchy’. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance will raise concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and allegations that voters’ names have been removed from electoral rolls.
Citizens for Democracy will organise a mock parliament at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi, beginning at 10:30 AM.
Young participants from different parts of the country will take on the roles of ruling party and opposition leaders. The event will follow a parliamentary format, allowing participants to raise questions, present their views and debate various issues.
According to the organisers, the objective is to familiarise young people with parliamentary procedures and encourage discussions on the role of democratic institutions.
The programme will include a 15-minute question hour-style session, a proposed 26-minute debate on a bill and a five-minute symbolic voting session.
The mock parliament will discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the functioning of EVMs, the impartiality of the Election Commission and opposition allegations of vote theft.
Other subjects on the agenda include parliamentary conduct, the independence of constitutional institutions and political accountability.
Participants will also discuss the balance between the democratic right to protest and the maintenance of law and order.
There is no information indicating that any BJP leader or Member of Parliament will participate in the programme. The event is being organised under the banner of Citizens for Democracy.
Meanwhile, the INDIA alliance has changed the format of its previously proposed mock parliament programme, renaming it ‘People’s Impeachment’.
The event will be held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg. According to the schedule announced by the Congress, the programme is set to begin at 3:30 PM.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will preside over the proceedings. A Samajwadi Party MP will assist her in conducting the programme.
The event will not constitute an actual constitutional impeachment proceeding. Instead, it will be a symbolic political programme organised by the opposition.
Around 30 speakers are expected to participate in the opposition programme, with representatives from 19 political parties scheduled to address the gathering.
Most speakers will be allotted five minutes each, while representatives of the Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress will receive ten minutes each.
The programme is expected to begin with an address by Mallikarjun Kharge and conclude with a speech by Rahul Gandhi. The organisers also plan to provide a platform to people who have complained that their names were removed from electoral rolls.
The opposition alleges that the SIR process and certain decisions taken by the Election Commission have affected voters’ rights. Citing these allegations, it has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Amid the opposition's campaign, the BJP has launched its ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ campaign.
On October 28, BJP president Nitin Nabin led a march in Delhi's Chandni Chowk. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other BJP leaders also participated in the march.
The BJP has been opposing the opposition's allegations of electoral irregularities and calling for continued confidence in democratic institutions.
Following Friday's People’s Impeachment programme, the INDIA alliance is preparing to hold a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
The rally is expected to focus on the SIR process, alleged vote theft and the role of the Election Commission.
Delhi is therefore set to remain at the centre of political activity surrounding the electoral process over the next three days, with attention focused on Friday's two programmes and the issues raised during them.
