CJP threatens ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ if CEC Gyanesh Kumar does not resign

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday (September 24, 2026) demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar for “undermining” voter rights, and warned of a nationwide agitation, including “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if he does not step down within two days.

Election Commission row updates on September 24, 2026

“To ensure free and fair elections, CEC Gyanesh Kumar must resign,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said.

“Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Mr. Dipke alleged that the electoral process had been ‘rigged’ and that the right to vote was being taken away from citizens.”

“If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign within 48 hours, we will start a nationwide protest, before coming for a protest in Delhi,” Mr. Dipke said, adding that if the CEC doesn’t resign, “Jantar Mantar 2.0 will definitely happen”.

CJP’s three demands on EC

CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka laid out three demands, while speaking at the press conference over the conduct of recent elections and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission. He said, “Our first demand is the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and initiation of criminal proceedings against him immediately.”

All upcoming elections should be immediately halted, and the pre-SIR voter rolls should be restored for all States, he said, speaking about their second demand.

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Mr. Ranka said, “independent inquiry commission should be constituted which will look into all proceedings of SIR so far. Supreme Court should seize all files related to decision making of SIR before they are destroyed by EC.”

CJP’s third demand is the repeal the 2023 Act for appointments of CEC and other election commissioners. “There should be a new law for it which involves the civil society groups,” he said.

Saying that, youth should come forward to save this nation, Mr. Dipke, added, “Who is Gyanesh Kumar to revoke our right to vote… we should all come forward.”

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Mr. Dipke also said that Opposition parties should take a stand against election rigging. Addressing the Opposition parties, he added that, “if you know the election is rigged you should take a stand, you cannot both participate in the election and speak against rigging.”

The remarks came a day after The Indian Express revealed that questions were repeatedly raised on issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls within the three-member Election Commission (EC) by two of the three election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.