'Gyanu must go': Cockroach Janta Party backs INDIA bloc's November 1 rally

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has backed the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally in Delhi, adding its voice to demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. Founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the decision on Wednesday as opposition parties prepared to protest the revision of voter lists.  

Also Read: 'Guess how many seats?': PM Modi takes jibe at Congress as party draws a blank in MLC polls 

The announcement brings the youth-led group and the opposition alliance onto the same side of a protest campaign that they had largely pursued separately. The rally is scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, where the Congress and its allies plan to challenge the Election Commission over alleged electoral irregularities.

CJP backs INDIA bloc protest, demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

Dipke announced his support on X, writing, "GYANU MUST GO! The Cockroach Janta Party extends its support to the INDIA Bloc’s November 1 rally. Nation above all!" He also shared a statement explaining why the group wants the Chief Election Commissioner to leave office.

The CJP alleged that Kumar had lost the public confidence required to supervise free and fair elections. It argued that his resignation was necessary to restore trust in the Election Commission and protect the independence of the institution.

Why CJP is opposing the SIR of electoral rolls

The dispute centres on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a process used to check and update lists of registered voters. Opposition parties fear that eligible citizens could lose their names from the electoral rolls and face difficulties voting. The CJP argued that election authorities should protect voting rights rather than make participation harder.

In its statement, the group referred to BR Ambedkar and the principle of equal voting rights. It said the Constitution guaranteed every eligible adult citizen the right to vote, regardless of their social or economic background.

The CJP maintained that no eligible voter should be excluded because of the way electoral rolls are revised. It also promised to support organisations campaigning for free and fair elections across the country.

Anti‑CEC protests

The CJP and Congress have previously campaigned over some of the same issues without organising their demonstrations together. The group attracted attention during protests over NEET paper leak and later joined calls for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Although the two sides have maintained separate protest campaigns, Rahul Gandhi has publicly criticised the detention of CJP activists in Delhi. The Congress leader has also argued that protests against alleged electoral irregularities should be open to people from outside the opposition alliance.

Earlier CJP protest faced police action in Delhi

On October 10, Delhi Police detained Dipke, Das and Ranka after their flight arrived in the capital, ahead of a planned demonstration against Kumar. They were subsequently released following legal proceedings.

Days later, Das and Ranka were again taken into custody following an attempt by CJP protesters to enter Jantar Mantar after police withdrew its status as a designated protest venue.

The detentions became a source of further tension between the protesters and the authorities. The CJP continued to demand the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, while opposition parties pursued their own campaign against the SIR exercise.

INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan: What is planned?

Delhi Police have issued a no-objection certificate for the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally, subject to several conditions. The gathering is scheduled to run from 10 am to 5 pm, with restrictions covering crowd management, security arrangements and traffic movement.

The Congress and its allies are also planning a symbolic "public impeachment" event against Kumar on October 30 at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi.

Also Read: IAF golf course near PM's home shut until further notice, Report