Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) formally pledged its support to the opposition INDIA bloc’s upcoming demonstration on 1 November, demanding the step-down of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the group cautioned that the SIR procedure threatens to disenfranchise legitimate voters and reverses the core democratic norm that electors choose their government, rather than the administration picking its voters.
“By undermining this very principle through SIR, 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,” it added.
Highlighting the historic pledge of the Constituent Assembly regarding universal adult suffrage, the organisation noted that Constitution architects, including BR Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru, demonstrated confidence in the public at a time when millions of citizens had never previously cast a ballot, reports New Indian Express.
“The idea was simple – bring more citizens into democracy, not keep them out of it,” the organisation added.
Announcing the group’s endorsement on social media platform X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted, “Gyanu must go! The Cockroach Janta Party extends its support to the INDIA Bloc’s November 1 rally. Nation above all!”
CJP further said the Election Commission carries the fundamental obligation to safeguard every qualified citizen’s franchise and should avoid constructing obstacles to voting access.
“Our Constitution gave every adult citizen the right to vote. It is our responsibility to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of that right,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its intent to stand alongside groups advocating nationwide for free and transparent electoral processes, the CJP wrapped up its public communication with the slogans “Jai Bhim” and “Jai Hind”.
