CJP Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar Resignation, Announces Delhi March on October 10

In a significant escalation of political tension, thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) converged at Mumbai's iconic Shivaji Park on Friday to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protest, which saw a massive turnout despite the lack of official police permission, served as a platform for the CJP leadership to level serious allegations against the Election Commission of India and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing the gathering, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke issued a stern ultimatum, stating that if Gyanesh Kumar doesn't vacate his post, the organization will lead a nationwide march to the capital.

The Call for Delhi Chalo

Abhijeet Dipke took to the social media platform X to amplify his message, declaring that cockroaches from across the country would march to Delhi if the CEC fails to resign. The planned demonstration is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar on 10 October. Dipke emphasized the determination of the protesters, stating that if the Delhi Police attempts to block their entry, the very spot where they're stopped will be transformed into their Jantar Mantar. He maintained that the movement would remain peaceful, adhering to the principles of non-violence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi. Referring to the police action during a previous protest in Delhi on 20 July, Dipke remarked that it's now up to the government and the Delhi Police to decide whether they will respect the right to peaceful protest or repeat their past actions.

Allegations of Electoral Irregularities

The CJP leadership framed the protest as a battle to save democracy, urging every citizen who desires free and fair elections to join the cause. During his address at Shivaji Park, Dipke launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while cJP leader Ajinkya Shinde echoed these sentiments, demanding not only the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar but also the initiation of criminal proceedings against him.

Voter List Discrepancies and Political Allegations

A central theme of the protest was the alleged manipulation of voter lists. Dipke claimed that over the past two years, as many as 13 crore names have been removed from the voter rolls across the country. He argued that the BJP managed to secure victories in states where it previously struggled, despite the absence of a visible Modi wave, by strategically removing voters. ' He explained that Maharashtra was chosen as the starting point for this movement because, according to him, the state has been the epicenter of electoral irregularities. Dipke further alleged that 40 lakh names were added to the voter list in Maharashtra to influence the 2024 assembly elections, which he described as a stolen election.

Statistical Claims and Celebrity Support

Providing a statistical context to his allegations, Dipke noted that there were 97 crore registered voters in 2024. He pointed out that the margin of votes between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha elections was only 2 percent. He alleged that the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar just 15 days before the elections was a calculated move to widen this margin. Comparing the situation to a fixed cricket match, Dipke stated that even in a fixed match, not every ball is a no-ball, but the outcome is predetermined. The protest received significant support from various quarters, including the Student Federation of India (SFI) and political parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), while notable personalities such as actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, singer Vishal Dadlani, and Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, were present at the site to show their solidarity.

Atmosphere and Local Opposition

The protest site was filled with young activists carrying placards featuring satirical memes and movie dialogues aimed at the CEC. ), 'Gyanesh Bro, Just Resign,' and 'Gaddar Gyanu Must Go' were prominently displayed. Despite the heavy police presence, barricades, and sweltering heat, the crowd remained steadfast. However, the protest also faced opposition from some local residents of the Shivaji Park area, who complained that such demonstrations disrupt the peace and daily lives of the neighborhood, while earlier in the day, Dipke paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in South Mumbai on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, reinforcing the party's stance on transparency and questioning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The CJP's demands come in the wake of reports suggesting internal disagreements within the Election Commission regarding the SIR process, although the Commission has maintained that all decisions were unanimous.