SIR Row: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has extended its support to the INDIA Bloc's proposed rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1 seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. In a social media post, the pressure group alleged that the Election Commission has undermined the basic principles of democracy through Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The CJP also raised concern over the alleged deletion of eligible voters from the final electoral roll.
CJP Extends Support To Opposition
The pressure group, in its post, stated that Gyanesh Kumar's resignation is essential to restore the credibility of the election commission. CJP has maintained that everyone should come together to demand his resignation, adding that the demonstrations will continue until his removal. It has also demanded a detailed probe into the allegations of irregularities in the functioning of the poll body.
"Gyanesh Kumar has lost the trust required to oversee free and fair elections. His resignation is therefore necessary to restore the credibility and independence of the Election Commission," CJP said in its post. "The fundamental principle of democracy is that people get to choose their government, not that the government gets to choose its voters," it added.
CJP's Change In Stance
Earlier during the students' protest in July, the CJP and Congress protested separately, seeking the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the pressure group has extended its support to the demonstrations held by the INDIA Bloc. The pressure group has highlighted that the similar voices must come together to seek Kumar's resignation.
Option Or Compulsion?
However, the move comes at a time when the top leaders of the pressure group, including Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Abhijeet Dipke are facing multiple legal hurdles. The top leadership has not been able to organise a large-scale protest in Delhi after signing a peace bond of one year.
The Delhi High Court also questioned their intentions when Das and Ranka jumped into the premises of Jantar Mantar to protest. Apart from this, the recent demonstrations called by CJP was also not attended by a huge crowd, raising questions over its popularity and relevance.