The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday stepped up its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation within 48 hours and warning of protests if he refuses to step down.
The announcement came amid mounting criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI) following reports of disagreements among its three commissioners over decisions relating to electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and the organisation's representatives targeted Kumar over the functioning of the poll panel, calling for accountability and reforms to safeguard the right to vote.
The CJP's latest action follows its announcement of a protest campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner, with the organisation indicating that its agitation would continue until its demands were addressed.
The CJP accused Gyanesh Kumar of undermining the credibility of the Election Commission and described him as the “biggest anti-national”, according to the organisation's statement reported by Deccan Herald.
The group called on the CEC to resign within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so would lead to protests against him.
CJP leaders said the campaign would focus on the functioning of the Election Commission and the protection of citizens' voting rights.
The organisation has also indicated plans for a broader agitation under the banner of an “EC thik karo” campaign, seeking changes in the functioning of the poll panel.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had earlier taken a swipe at the CEC, saying, “Gyanesh, it's done bro,” while announcing the organisation's decision to shift its focus to the Election Commission.
The CJP's announcement follows a report by The Indian Express alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months regarding decisions taken by the poll panel.
The reported disagreements concerned electoral roll revisions, changes to Form 6 used for new voter registrations, and issues relating to the handling and accessibility of voter databases.
The disclosures have intensified demands from opposition parties for action against Kumar and an independent investigation into the Election Commission's functioning.
Congress leaders, the Trinamool Congress, the Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties have called for the CEC's removal and sought judicial scrutiny of the poll panel's decisions.
The opposition has also demanded that the ongoing SIR exercise be halted pending an impartial investigation.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that its decisions, including those concerning the SIR exercise, were taken unanimously by all three commissioners. It has described differences of opinion as part of the normal deliberative process within the institution.
The CJP has argued that electoral integrity is fundamental to addressing wider public concerns, including unemployment, examination irregularities and deficiencies in public education.
In an earlier statement, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation's campaigns on social and economic issues would have limited impact if citizens were unable to exercise their voting rights.
“We can do as many school theek karos, we can do as many adivasi school theek karos... but nothing is going to help if our final tool that we can use to change our system, the right to vote, is stolen from us,” Das said.
The CJP has maintained that elections remain the primary means through which citizens can hold governments accountable and seek political change.
The latest ultimatum adds to the growing pressure on the Election Commission, with opposition parties and civil society groups demanding greater transparency in electoral procedures and accountability over the reported internal disagreements.
The CJP has warned that its protest campaign against Gyanesh Kumar will continue if he does not resign within the stipulated 48 hours.
