CEC Gyanesh Kumar: CJP Gives 48 Hour Ultimatum to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Warns of Fresh Delhi Protest

CEC Gyanesh Kumar: The Cockroach Janata Party has stepped up its criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

At a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke demanded that Kumar resign within 48 hours. He warned that the organisation would begin protests across the country if the demand was not met.

The party also said it would hold what it described as “Jantar Mantar 2.0” in Delhi if Kumar does not step down. The announcement comes after reports about differences within the Election Commission over decisions linked to the revision of electoral rolls.

CJP co convenor Saurav Das listed several demands during the briefing. Apart from seeking the CEC’s resignation, the party called for criminal proceedings against him and asked that the SIR exercise be stopped.

The party further demanded that the 2025 electoral roll be used instead of continuing with the current revision process. It also called for all records and files connected with SIR to be placed under the custody of a committee appointed by the Supreme Court.

The controversy gained attention after a report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over decisions concerning electoral rolls. The report said the objections were made at least 14 times over a period of 10 months.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that differences of opinion can occur within an institution and said its actions have been in accordance with the law.

Dipke also questioned the Election Commission’s role in deciding who remains on the electoral rolls and strongly criticised the way the SIR process is being handled. His remarks were part of the party’s broader demand for changes in the electoral roll revision process.

The CJP has now put the 48 hour deadline at the centre of its next course of action. If the demand is not accepted, the party says it will move ahead with nationwide protests followed by the proposed demonstration in Delhi.

The latest development adds another political response to the wider debate over the Election Commission’s functioning and the revision of voter lists. The controversy is expected to remain a subject of discussion as the parties involved put forward their respective positions.