The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday announced its support for the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, marking the first time the youth-led movement has publicly backed a political opposition mobilisation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the decision in a post on X, saying the party would support organisations campaigning for free and fair elections. The statement called for Kumar’s resignation, arguing that concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had undermined confidence in the electoral process.
The CJP said democracy depends on citizens choosing their government and expressed concern that eligible voters could be excluded through changes to electoral rolls. It argued that the Election Commission must ensure that eligible citizens retain their right to vote.
The announcement represents a shift in the relationship between the CJP and the Congress-led opposition. The two had maintained a degree of mutual suspicion since the movement emerged in May. However, their positions have moved closer in recent weeks amid protests targeting the Chief Election Commissioner.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had invited CJP representatives to a meeting involving opposition allies, civil society members, students and youth leaders at his residence, although the CJP leaders did not attend. Earlier in October, the movement had expressed support for a proposed opposition march to the Supreme Court but had not publicly called on its supporters to participate.
CJP’s latest statement said that the concerns over voter deletions required collective action to protect electoral participation and accountability. Its co-convenor also endorsed the announcement, saying justice and accountability must prevail.
The INDIA bloc rally on November 1 is expected to be a major opposition mobilisation against Kumar. The CJP’s participation could broaden the coalition of groups publicly supporting the campaign.
The announcement signals a potential change in coordination between the youth movement and opposition parties, although the extent of the CJP’s involvement in the rally remains unclear.
Source: Deccan Herald
