Athawale was responding to the campaign led by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been demanding Kumar’s resignation and preparing for another protest in Delhi on October 10.
Athawale Rejects Demand for CEC’s Resignation
According to reports, Athawale advised Dipke to focus on other issues rather than continuing protests demanding Kumar’s resignation. He argued that Kumar’s responsibility is to correct electoral rolls and remove names that are no longer valid, including voters who have moved to other states for employment.
Athawale said that even if CJP continues its protests, Gyanesh Kumar will not resign, because, in his view, there is no wrongdoing on the CEC’s part that would warrant his resignation.
“Do What You Want,” Athawale Tells Dipke
Athawale also referred to Dipke’s planned October 10 protest and said that there was no need for such an agitation. He maintained that efforts should instead focus on making elections more transparent and correcting voter lists.
His comments come as opposition parties and civil society groups continue to raise questions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in voter-list management.
Dipke Continues Campaign Against Gyanesh Kumar
Dipke and the CJP have continued to demand Kumar’s resignation. The group has announced further demonstrations, including a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10.
Dipke has alleged that the electoral-roll revision process threatens democratic rights and has demanded changes to the system for appointing election commissioners. These remain political allegations and demands, rather than established findings against Kumar.