New Delhi: The controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Thursday after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, launched a strong attack on the Chief Election Commissioner and alleged that the SIR exercise raised questions about the democratic process and voter participation. He questioned the Election Commission’s role in determining voter eligibility and demanded immediate action against the poll panel chief.

The remarks came amid a growing political debate over the Election Commission’s decisions related to electoral roll procedures. The issue gained momentum following a report by The Indian Express, which stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over the past 10 months regarding certain decisions and orders linked to electoral rolls and revision processes.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has maintained that differences during internal deliberations are a normal feature of a multi-member constitutional body. It has stated that all final decisions, including those related to the SIR exercise, were taken unanimously.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat said decisions within the poll panel are required to be reached through consensus or majority.

Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee is scheduled to meet in New Delhi on September 29 to discuss the SIR controversy and the broader political situation. The issue has triggered renewed debate among opposition parties over electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission.