CHANDIGARH — Tensions escalated in Chandigarh on Saturday as senior leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party gathered to support the youth-driven Cockroach Janta Party agitation against the Election Commission of India. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the ruling administration of undermining fair democratic processes through voter roll discrepancies. Police subsequently detained senior party functionaries, including AAP Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Speaking to reporters, Manish Sisodia highlighted specific concerns regarding the removal of voters from electoral rolls, referencing significant drop-offs in voter numbers across multiple states and constituencies. He stated that detaining peaceful protesters and preventing citizens from assembling reflects an authoritarian approach to public grievances. Sisodia invoked India’s freedom movement, stating that protecting the sanctity of the vote remains central to upholding democratic principles.
Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema criticized law enforcement measures deployed in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh, asserting that restrictive actions against student and youth groups would not suppress democratic demands. Reaffirming the party’s official position, AAP leaders stated they would remain aligned with civil society groups in advocating for voter rights, transparent electoral registration procedures, and institutional accountability.
