CJP vows to persist with resignation demand against election chief

The Citizens Justice Platform (CJP) on Monday intensified its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, vowing not to relent until the top poll official resigns over allegations of mass voter disenfranchisement.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told reporters the organisation would launch a nationwide agitation beginning October 2 and maintain pressure until Kumar quits. "CJP is a platform which, if it gets involved in any matter, doesn't let go of it until we win," Ranka said, challenging Kumar to publicly address the allegations levelled against him.

The CJP has accused Kumar of "defrauding" approximately 13 crore citizens by systematically removing their names from electoral rolls. Ranka questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's apparent defence of the election chief, suggesting it indicated complicity in the alleged voter suppression.

The confrontation escalated after the CJP issued a 48-hour ultimatum on September 24, demanding Kumar's resignation and threatening agitations including a repeat of the "Jantar Mantar" mass mobilisation if demands were not met. With that deadline having lapsed, the organisation has now moved to execute its threatened action plan.