CJP protest on October 2 in Mumbai: What are his demands apart from Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation? | Today’s news
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is all set for another protest in Mumbai. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and warned of launching nationwide protests if their demands were not met.
Dipke held a media conference at the Mumbai Press Club.
Protest in Mumbai tomorrow
According to PTI, Abhijeet Dipke said the CJP will stage a protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar area on October 2 to achieve its demands.
CJP demands resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Their protest came after a report of alleged rifts within the Election Commission of India (ECI) surfaced. The opposition called for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar; The CJP also joined in and demanded the same.
What are the requirements of CJP
On September 25, Abhijeet Dipke and other CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka submitted their three demands.
Resignation of Gyanesh Kumar along with criminal proceedings against CEC.
Postpone the Special Intensive Review (SIR) and restore the January 2025 electoral roll.
Repeal the 2023 legislation along with the Electoral Commission reforms.
Read also | How BJP Prepares Counter Offensive Against Opposition Fight Against EC
The CJP has alleged that the Gyanesh Kumar-led ECI is not working in the interest of the country, amid reports of differences in the panel and allegations about its functioning.
However, the Election Commission rejected claims of internal failure following the alleged report. In its statement, the EC claimed that all three commissioners agreed on its decisions, including those related to SIR.
Did Mumbai police give permission?
Meanwhile, it is not clear about Friday’s protest in Mumbai. Earlier, the Mumbai Police shared on X that “The permission was denied as the Mumbai Police is not empowered to grant permission for any gathering at Shivaji Park” in accordance with a 2013 Bombay High Court order. The police urged the applicant to seek alternative venues for the protest, citing concerns about crowd management, traffic disruption and noise levels.
Abhijeet Dipke alleged that permission to hold the protest was denied in an attempt to suppress the movement. He said on X that the CJP would launch a “Jail Bharo Andolan” if they were denied their right to protest.
“If we are denied the right to protest, the CJP will launch the Bharo Andolan jail in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti,” he warned.
Read also | CJP demands resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, warns of nationwide protests
Will there be more protests?
On Thursday, Dipke said the CJP’s protests will continue until Kumar resigns from his post. “Protests will be held in Goa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. If he does not step down, there will be a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from the end of October,” he said.
Dipke also demanded that the appointment of the CEC should be done in a transparent manner, with the involvement of civil society.
Delhi
It is also proposed to hold a protest tomorrow at Jantar Mantar against Gyanesh Kumar. It was convened by social activists and student groups over issues related to the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls.
However, according to ANI, the Delhi Police has not yet granted permission.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are also scheduled to contest the Election Commission in Mumbai on October 4.
Greater opposition protest
The INDIA opposition bloc is also set to intensify its protest against the Election Commission from October 2.
The INDIA bloc will organize district-level marches and demonstrations in front of district magistrate offices from October 2 to 8, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said after a meeting of the opposition alliance, The Economic Times reported.
