CJ Party backs INDIA bloc rally against SIR

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has expressed support for the INDIA bloc’s planned rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, CJP convenor Abhijit Dipke backed the opposition’s protest, saying, “Gyanesh (Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar) must go … the nation comes first.”

Sharing the party’s support letter on X, Dipke said the CJP stood with the opposition’s demand for free and fair elections.

The INDIA bloc has called the rally for November 1, demanding Kumar’s resignation and the cancellation of the SIR exercise.

The CJP said democracy rests on the principle that people elect their government through voting, not that a government chooses its voters. It alleged that the SIR process had undermined this principle and damaged Kumar’s credibility.

The party also said Kumar’s resignation was necessary to restore the independence and credibility of the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged student organisations across the country to join the rally, setting aside their political differences.

In a video message, Gandhi said the protest was aimed at protecting democracy, stopping alleged vote theft and defending the Constitution, and was not an event organised for any particular political party.

He called on people dissatisfied with the actions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to take part in the movement.

Gandhi said collective action was necessary to protect India’s democracy and urged student organisations in particular to unite in defence of democratic values and the Constitution.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday challenged the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to dissolve Parliament and hold fresh elections using ballot papers.

He made the challenge in Bengaluru amid an ongoing political debate over India’s electoral process and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

His remarks are likely to intensify the political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over electoral transparency.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided to deny government jobs to people allegedly involved in attempts to overthrow the government through violent means.

The state government has issued new guidelines tightening character verification requirements for candidates seeking direct recruitment to government positions.

The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, according to The Times of India.

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