Kharge says CJP not coming for rally, latter says yet to take a call

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: As preparations for opposition’s Nov 1 mega rally got into full swing starting with “public impeachment” of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Friday, Congress and CJP are learnt to be in touch for the events ahead.Senior Congress sources said both sides have touched base following Abhijit Dipke’s Wednesday social media post in support of INDIA bloc’s rally against CEC and SIR. There is no confirmation about CJP’s participation in the rally yet. Congress sources said there is a chance of the newbie being invited, but a CJP spokesperson said, “Decision on participation is yet to be taken.”In Bengaluru, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge replied in negative, when asked if CJP will join the rally.Meanwhile, the immediate focus is on the “pub-lic impeachment”.Twelve years after she demitted the top office, former speaker Meira Kumar will preside over proceedings one more time — a symbolic joint session of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that will “impeach” the CEC Friday, with participation of all INDIA bloc parties. LoP in RS, Kharge, will move proposal for “impeachment”, followed by a debate in which bloc members will participate.

LoP in LS, Rahul Gandhi, will conclude the debate, followed by voting.

Civil society members and some “victims” of SIR will provide testimonies.The session at Kharge’s residence will start in the evening. Congress’s KC Venugopal said Kharge’s house was chosen as govt turned down request for Ashok Hotel and Ramlila Maidan as venue.