The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has extended its support to the INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar but will not participate in the rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1.
Dipke said the organisation stood in solidarity with the Opposition's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities but wanted to preserve its independent identity as a neutral platform. He stressed that the fight against alleged vote theft was not restricted to any political party or organisation and that the CJP would support all groups raising the issue.
"We support the protest tomorrow, we stand in solidarity, but the Cockroach Janta Party is an independent organisation; it is a neutral platform, and we want to keep it that way," Dipke said after meeting former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday.
"Anybody who will fight against this vote theft, we will support all organisations," he added.
The CJP had previously announced its support for the INDIA bloc's rally, which is demanding the resignation of Kumar over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a statement posted on X, the organisation alleged that the SIR process had undermined the principle of free and fair elections and eroded public confidence in the Chief Election Commissioner. It said Kumar's resignation was necessary to restore the credibility and independence of the Election Commission.
Banerjee also acknowledged the CJP's support for the Opposition's campaign, describing the organisation's members as pioneers and founders of the movement.
"They have extended their full support for tomorrow's rally, and we have extended all support to them as well. They are the pioneers and the founders of this movement. That we must remember," she told reporters.
INDIA bloc plans Chalo Dilli march
The Opposition's protest is being organised under the banner of 'Chalo Dilli' to highlight alleged electoral irregularities and demand Kumar's resignation.
The march is scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan, where the INDIA bloc has planned a mega rally between 10am and 5pm.
Opposition parties are expecting nearly one million people from different parts of the country to attend the gathering. However, Delhi Police has made arrangements for approximately 50,000 people, corresponding to the estimated capacity of Ramlila Maidan. Any additional crowd will be prevented from entering the venue and held back on surrounding roads.
Nearly 10,000 personnel deployed for security
Delhi Police and paramilitary forces have stepped up security across central Delhi, with nearly 10,000 personnel deployed for the protest.
The arrangements include dividing the rally ground into eight regions, each supervised by a deputy commissioner of police or an additional deputy commissioner. The venue has also been split into 14 zones, each headed by an assistant commissioner of police.
Every zone will have at least 25 inspectors, supported by other personnel ranging from sub-inspectors to constables.
Surveillance will be strengthened through nearly 250 high-definition, artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras installed across the venue. The cameras will transmit live footage to a police control room. Drones, body-worn cameras and anti-riot equipment will also be deployed to monitor the gathering and manage potential security concerns.
Rahul Gandhi asks protesters to shop locally ahead of Diwali
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has appealed to people travelling to Delhi for the rally to support local traders by making purchases during their visit, amid concerns that the protest could affect businesses in the area ahead of Diwali.
In a video message posted on X, Gandhi urged participants to combine their protest with shopping, asking them to "protest, march and shop". He said the gathering should not cause financial losses to traders during the festive season, which also includes Chhath and Bhai Dooj.
"Namaskar, tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. The time of Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj has arrived. I want those lakhs of people coming to Delhi from outside to support the traders here," he said.
Gandhi also accused the BJP of spreading rumours among Delhi's trading community that the rally would disrupt business, claiming that the Opposition's protest would not harm local shopkeepers.
"Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too. It will benefit the traders. I know the rally will not harm the traders. The BJP is scared, that's why it's spreading rumours," he said.
He further urged visitors to purchase goods from small local shops while attending the march and rally, extending his Diwali greetings and concluding his message with "Jai Hind".