Rahul Gandhi demands the CEC’s resignation over alleged ‘vote chori’, while the Cockroach Janta Party threatens nationwide protests and calls for a freeze on upcoming polls
New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday escalated his allegations against the Election Commission, claiming he was “100 per cent sure” that elections in India were being rigged and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Addressing a press conference, Gandhi alleged that the destruction or manipulation of votes would undermine the Constitution, the law-making system and democratic institutions. He reiterated his “vote chori” allegations and accused the Election Commission of failing in its responsibility to protect voters.
His remarks came amid scrutiny over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A report by The Indian Express said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months on issues linked to voter additions and deletions, Form 6 and electoral-roll data.
The controversy intensified on Thursday after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gave Kumar 48 hours to resign, warning of a nationwide agitation if he failed to do so. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the proposed protest would include what he called “Jantar Mantar 2.0”.
The CJP also demanded a halt to upcoming elections, restoration of earlier electoral rolls, an independent inquiry into the SIR exercise and repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC and Election Commissioners.
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