The controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is set to intensify, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition parties organising separate protest programmes over electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The CJP has announced a protest in Mumbai on October 2, while the INDIA bloc has planned a wider campaign beginning the same day and a march to the Election Commission in New Delhi on October 6.
CJP Plans Mumbai Protest
The CJP, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, has announced a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2. The group is demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and has raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Mumbai Police did not grant permission for the proposed gathering at Shivaji Park. Despite this, the CJP said it would proceed with its planned agitation.
Opposition Plans Separate Campaign
The INDIA bloc has announced its own programme of protests against the Election Commission. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said district-level “Save Democracy” marches would be held from October 2 to 8.
The Opposition parties also plan to march to the Election Commission in New Delhi on October 6. Their demands include greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions, disclosure of changes at constituency and booth levels, prior notice before voter deletions and an effective appeal mechanism.
SIR at the Centre of Dispute
The protests are linked largely to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and activists have raised concerns about the possibility of eligible voters being excluded during the revision process.
The Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is intended to identify and remove duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries. The poll body has also said that differences expressed during internal discussions do not mean that its decisions were not collectively taken.
More Protests Planned in Mumbai
The CJP’s October 2 protest is not the only demonstration planned in Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray have announced a separate joint protest march for October 4.
The march is planned from Byculla to the BMC headquarters and is also focused on concerns surrounding the Election Commission and electoral processes.
Political Debate Continues
With separate protest programmes being organised by the CJP, Opposition parties and other political groups, the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions has become a major political issue.
The coming days are expected to see further demonstrations and political exchanges as parties and organisations continue to press their respective demands regarding electoral transparency and voter-list revisions.