CJP Gives Poll Body Chief 48-Hour Resignation Ultimatum, Threatens Nationwide Agitation

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, warning that it would launch a nationwide agitation if he does not step down within 48 hours.

Addressing a press conference, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Kumar represents the gravest danger to Indian democracy. His remarks came a day after a report claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which, the report said, went unheeded.

Dipke said the report confirmed that Kumar was acting against the interests of the nation and should resign at once. He argued that under Kumar's tenure, the question of who votes had shifted from the public to the government, describing the situation as autocracy rather than democracy.

Citing figures from the SIR, Dipke claimed that 13 crore votes had been cancelled across states. He accused Kumar of working to keep the ruling BJP in power, pointing to alleged political developments in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and West Bengal, including splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP and the transfer of their official symbols to rival groups.

Three core demands

Dipke, along with CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, outlined three demands:

• Kumar must resign immediately, face criminal proceedings, and an investigation must determine whose instructions he followed.
• All upcoming elections must be put on hold, the SIR exercise frozen, the electoral roll restored to the January 2025 voters' list, and an independent inquiry commission set up. All related files should be placed in the custody of the Supreme Court.
• The 2023 law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners must be repealed and replaced with legislation framed with civil society participation.

Dipke urged political parties not to take part in what he called a rigged contest, saying participation would legitimise the outcome. He asked the public to treat the matter as one concerning their right to vote, and said that if Kumar wishes to serve political masters, he should resign and take up such a role officially rather than hold a constitutional post.

The CJP said it would begin a nationwide agitation and march to Delhi if Kumar does not resign within the stipulated 48 hours.