‘Fixed match’: CJP's Dipke urges opposition to stop contesting ‘rigged' elections amid CEC row

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged Opposition parties to stop contesting elections if they believe polls are being rigged, comparing their participation to playing a “fixed match”. His remarks came amid demands for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday urged Opposition parties to stop contesting elections if they believe the electoral process is being rigged, arguing that their participation lends legitimacy to what he alleged is a flawed system.

Dipke compared the Opposition's continued participation in elections to playing a “fixed match”, suggesting that even in such a contest, not every catch would be deliberately dropped and the game could be allowed to go into the final over to create the appearance of a genuine contest.

He also suggested that Opposition parties could be allowed occasional victories — “the crumbs” — to keep them participating and give voters the impression that there was a real electoral contest.

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Abhijeet Dipke argues that participating in what he calls 'rigged' elections legitimizes a flawed electoral process, creating an illusion of fairness and democracy.

Dipke compares the Opposition's participation in elections to playing a 'fixed match', suggesting that it undermines the credibility of the democratic process.

Gyanesh Kumar is accused of overseeing revisions to voter rolls that have allegedly deleted millions of votes, raising concerns over fairness and potential manipulation of election outcomes.

The impeachment process for a Chief Election Commissioner involves a motion introduced in Parliament, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses, based on proven misbehavior or incapacity.

Rahul Gandhi describes 'vote chori' as a direct attack on the Constitution, claiming it undermines the fundamental democratic process where votes must be protected to ensure legitimate governance.

“When you continue to participate in rigged elections, you legitimise these elections and help maintain the illusion that they are free and fair,” Dipke said in a post on X.

His remarks came a day after the CJP demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and threatened a nationwide agitation if he did not step down within 48 hours.

Dipke questioned why Opposition parties continue to contest elections despite repeatedly alleging electoral irregularities.

“Maybe you keep contesting because you fear that if you don’t, you will stop existing. But what kind of existence are you trying to protect when votes are being stolen, your MLAs and MPs are being poached, and your parties are being split?” he said.

He also argued that Opposition parties should maintain a consistent position on allegations of electoral manipulation rather than raise the issue selectively depending on the state or political party involved.

“You cannot keep saying the game is rigged while continuing to play it,” Dipke said.

He urged Opposition parties to put what he described as the interests of the nation and democracy ahead of their political survival.

“Take a stand and stop participating in rigged elections,” Dipke said.

Rahul Gandhi seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, separately called for Kumar’s resignation while reiterating his allegations of “vote-chori”.

Gandhi said he had presented evidence and claimed there was sufficient information to establish that Indian elections, including the Lok Sabha 2024 electionand Assembly elections, were being rigged.

He also said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had “done a wise thing” by raising objections and urged the CEC to “think seriously and turn approver”.

Dipke’s remarks come amid a fresh controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission following an Indian Express investigation.

The report said Sandhu and Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders they said were taken without their knowledge.

The Election Commission rejected suggestions of an institutional rupture, saying differences of opinion, written notes and internal checks are part of the decision-making process within a multi-member constitutional body.

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.

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