Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 24 (Agencies): The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar within 48 hours, threatening nationwide protests under the banner “Jantar Mantar 2” if he refuses to step down.
Addressing reporters in the capital, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke levelled sharp allegations against Kumar, calling him the “biggest anti-national” in the country and accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of undermining citizens’ voting rights.
The outburst comes amid controversy over the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and reports of differences within the three-member poll panel.
Reports in The Indian Express have cited objections reportedly raised by fellow Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over decisions relating to voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, and the management of the electoral-roll system.
Key demands
The CJP has demanded Kumar’s resignation and criminal proceedings over what it alleges were illegal actions. It has also called for an immediate halt to the SIR process and upcoming elections, besides reforms to the manner in which the Election Commission is appointed and functions.
The party has also alleged that the SIR process risks excluding eligible young and first-time voters and has demanded greater transparency from the Commission.
ECI denies rift
The allegations made by the CJP remain claims by the organisation. The Election Commission has denied any internal breakdown, maintaining that differences of opinion among commissioners are part of the normal decision-making process.
The controversy follows reports of disagreements within the three-member panel over aspects of the electoral-roll revision exercise.
Dipke urged opposition parties and citizens to support the cause, warning that protests would go ahead if Kumar did not resign within the 48-hour deadline.
The CJP’s proposed nationwide agitation would be held under the banner “Jantar Mantar 2”, according to the party.
The row comes amid growing public debate over the ECI’s functioning, particularly over the SIR exercise and reports of differences within the three-member panel.