India’s Cockroach Janta Party has threatened to launch nationwide protests if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign within 48 hours. The youth movement issued the warning after reports raised questions about discussions within the Election Commission over voter-list changes.
The India Cockroach movement said it would begin a nationwide agitation if Kumar remains in office after the deadline. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, announced the position at a press conference, saying the campaign would continue until the election chief leaves his post.
The controversy follows a report that two election commissioners had raised questions or expressed concerns about voter-list revision procedures on several occasions. The report said the issues were discussed with Kumar over a period of 10 months.
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of India of allowing irregularities in voter lists that could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The allegations have been rejected by the election panel, which maintains that its decisions and procedures comply with the law.
The main opposition Congress Party has also announced demonstrations outside election offices across the country. The party is demanding Kumar’s removal, his arrest and an independent review of decisions and changes to voter lists made during his tenure.
The Election Commission has said differences among election commissioners are a normal part of institutional decision-making. It has maintained that differing views are considered before final decisions are reached. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra has defended the commission and accused opposition parties of conducting a campaign against it.
The India Cockroach movement gained attention after youth demonstrations in July reportedly contributed to the resignation of India’s education minister over allegations involving examination paper leaks. The latest dispute has now brought the group into a wider political controversy over election administration, voter lists and the role of the Election Commission.
