Indian youth group sets resignation deadline for election chief

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has threatened protests across India unless Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns by Saturday. Founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Friday that demonstrations would begin in Mumbai on 2 October and spread to other cities.

The ultimatum follows an Indian Express report that two election commissioners raised questions or concerns with Kumar at least 14 times in 10 months, mostly about voter-list updates that began last year.

Opposition parties have alleged that voter lists were altered to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including through deletions without warning and additions without verification. The supplied material does not establish that manipulation occurred. The BJP rejects the allegations and has accused the opposition of a smear campaign.

Congress separately announced marches at state election offices on Friday, demanding Kumar’s arrest and removal, as well as an independent review of decisions and voter-list changes made under him.

The Election Commission of India said differing views are normal within an institution and that its actions were lawful. The protest threat remains conditional on Kumar not resigning by Saturday.