Brief

CJP leaders demand CEC resignation and scrap of SIR ahead of Delhi protest

The party’s founding core says the CEC’s immunity and the SIR roll‑back are essential for free elections.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:16:45 GMT

In an interview with The News Minute, the founding core of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) – founder Abhijeet Dipke, co‑convenor Ashutosh Ranka and spokesperson Saurav Das – demanded the resignation or impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the complete rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

What happened

The CJP leaders said the demand comes as they prepare for a protest in New Delhi on October 10, for which the government has deployed about 23,000 security personnel. They argue that the CEC’s statutory immunity and the SIR process have undermined the possibility of free and fair elections.

What the reports add

Abhijeet Dipke questioned the constitutional logic of granting the CEC immunity from criminal prosecution, calling it "absolutely unconstitutional" and likening the protection to powers not even held by the President or Prime Minister. Ashutosh Ranka linked the immunity to a purported plan to disenfranchise voters, alleging that 13 crore voters were deleted from rolls over two years and that the law creating the immunity should not have existed.

What was said

"How can he have that immunity? How can he be above the Constitution of India and rule of law? He's just an ordinary citizen," Dipke told The News Minute. Ranka added, "If the government has given him that immunity, that somewhere means they wanted to protect him because they have already decided to do something like this where they deleted 13 crore voters in a span of 2 years." Dipke also criticised the deployment of security forces, saying, "I think I'm more scared about the fact that the Home Minister of India is waging a war on the citizens of this country."

How it came about

The CJP’s demands echo earlier calls from opposition figures and parties. On October 2, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee publicly backed the CJP’s demand to remove the CEC at Kolkata airport. Earlier in September, the Nagaland Congress and a coalition of opposition parties, including the CPM and AAP, had also pressed for Kumar’s resignation over the SIR process. These coordinated efforts have built momentum ahead of the scheduled protest in Delhi.

Key facts

CJP leaders demand resignation or impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. (thenewsminute.com)
They call for a full rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. (thenewsminute.com)
The party plans a protest in New Delhi on October 10, with 23,000 security personnel deployed. (thenewsminute.com)