DMK extends support to CJP protest; Stalin refuses to join protest organised by Congress

CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin has extended his support to the protest being held by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, he made it clear that the DMK would not join the protest programmes organised by the Congress, which is leading the agitation. Stalin conveyed this position at a meeting of DMK MPs held in Chennai under his chairmanship.

During the meeting, Stalin launched a sharp attack on the Congress. "We will not work with those who stabbed us in the back," he said. The meeting, convened to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, demanded that the voter list revision process be suspended and the ballot paper system restored. The DMK also accused the Congress of adopting a double standard on the SIR issue. It announced full support for the protests organised by student and youth organisations, including the CJP.

Stalin had earlier strongly criticised the Central government over its action against protesters. On Thursday, he condemned the detention of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ahead of the Tiranga March. In a post on X, Stalin said the detention of Abhijeet and Neha Bora without disclosing their whereabouts was illegal and inhuman. He demanded their immediate release and urged the Centre to stop suppressing peaceful protests.

He also warned that every attempt to crush the agitation would only make it stronger. His post carried a hashtag demanding Gyanesh Kumar's removal. The DMK president had also announced that his party would provide legal assistance to the CJP in its fight against the SIR.