India’s Modi faces dual pressure from ‘cockroach’ movement, opposition parties
India’s opposition parties and the youth-led “cockroach” movement took to the streets on Friday, demanding action over alleged irregularities in voter rolls and calling for the resignation of the country’s chief election commissioner, as the combined pressure from the two groups poses a new challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The protests have brought the opposition closer to…
Opposition parties and a youth-led "cockroach" movement are pressuring India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over alleged flaws in voter rolls and calling for the resignation of the country's chief election commissioner, creating a dual challenge for Modi. While this convergence could bolster India's opposition, turning it into a tool for concessions from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be difficult.
The protests have drawn around 20 parties in the opposition India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) together. Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has come under fire after allegedly bypassing two other commissioners before the voter roll revision, though the Election Commission maintains all commissioners approved the changes.
The main opposition Congress Party has demanded Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah resign, deeming them to have no moral right to remain in office. The student-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has gained momentum since its emergence in May, with thousands of students and young supporters taking to the streets, protesting against irregularities in the examination system.
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