The Cockroach Janta Party on Thursday listed three big demands amid the ongoing controversy triggered by a news report claiming internal conflict within the Election Commission.
The warning came weeks after the student protests against the NEET paper leak were concluded, following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as union education minister.
Dipke also warned of a nationwide protest which he called including “Jantar Mantar 2.0” if Kumar does not tender his resignation within 48 hours.
Two of the three ECI members formally objected to a change in Form 6, the application that Indian citizens fill to get their names on to the electoral roll for the first time, according to the report. Earlier reporting noted: What are CJP’s 3 demands ahead of ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’: Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, SIR freeze, law repeal CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addresses a press conference as Co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka look on. Earlier reporting noted: The 3rd demand: Repeal the 2023 law on the appointment of Election Commissioners and enact a new law that inspires public confidence, built with active participation from civil society.
The controversy stems from an Indian Express report published earlier this week which said that their was disquiet among CEC Gyanesh Kumar and two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Earlier reporting noted: Speaking at a press conference, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the electoral process had been “rigged” and that citizens’ right to vote was being taken away.
Earlier today, he also issued a statement saying the Opposition shouldn’t fight elections if they think the system is rigged.
“When you continue to participate in rigged elections, you legitimise these elections and help maintain the illusion that they are free and fair,” Dipke said in a post.
Citing the claims in the report, and voter exclusions reported across several states during the SIR, Dipke said: “We are in a difficult phase; the right to vote is being snatched… If you know elections are being rigged you cannot participate. You will have to take a stand.”
The CJP founder alleged that CEC Kumar was the “biggest threat to Indian democracy” and accused the EC of deciding who would be allowed to vote.
