The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, on Wednesday announced its support for the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, joining the opposition's demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a statement shared by Dipke on X, the CJP alleged that Kumar had lost the confidence necessary to oversee free and fair elections and said his resignation was essential to restoring public trust in the Election Commission.
The announcement came as the Congress and other opposition parties intensified preparations for the November 1 demonstration, which will focus on alleged voter exclusions, electoral irregularities and demands for greater accountability from the poll panel.
"GYANU MUST GO!" Dipke wrote while announcing the organisation's support for the rally. He also used the slogan "Nation above all!" and the hashtags #JaiBhim and #JaiHind.
𝗖𝗝𝗣 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀
The CJP questioned the manner in which the SIR exercise was being conducted, alleging that eligible citizens were being excluded from electoral rolls rather than being assisted in exercising their voting rights.
The organisation argued that the electoral process must allow citizens to determine who governs them and should not permit governments to influence the composition of the electorate through administrative procedures.
It maintained that the Election Commission's responsibility was to safeguard every eligible voter's democratic rights and ensure that electoral roll revisions did not create unnecessary obstacles.
The CJP said Kumar's continuation in office had become untenable because of what it described as a loss of public confidence in the institution.
The allegations concerning wrongful voter exclusions remain contested, and the organisation's statement did not establish that the Election Commission had deliberately removed eligible voters.
𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗸𝗮𝗿'𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱
Referring to the constitutional foundations of universal adult franchise, the CJP invoked B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and other Constitution-makers, saying they had placed their faith in ordinary citizens irrespective of their caste, religion, gender, education or economic circumstances.
The organisation argued that India's democratic framework was designed to expand political participation and guarantee equal voting rights, particularly for people who had historically been excluded from decision-making.
It said constitutional institutions were duty-bound to protect that principle and ensure that electoral procedures did not disproportionately disadvantage vulnerable sections.
The CJP also pledged support for organisations campaigning for free and fair elections. However, Dipke did not clarify whether CJP members would physically participate in the November 1 rally.
𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc decided to hold its planned October 30 programme, described by the opposition as a public impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner, at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's official residence in New Delhi.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the programme would take place at 10, Rajaji Marg, at 3.30 pm after the alliance allegedly faced difficulties securing permission for alternative venues.
The opposition had initially planned to organise the event at the Ashok Hotel before considering Ramlila Maidan.
Ramesh accused Kumar of violating constitutional principles and undermining electoral democracy, allegations that have not been established by a court.
The October 30 gathering is intended to precede the larger November 1 rally, for which opposition parties have been mobilising supporters from different parts of the country.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged on Tuesday that the government-run Ashok Hotel had initially permitted the October 30 programme but subsequently withdrew approval following police intervention.
He claimed that the Congress had also booked Ramlila Maidan between October 25 and November 3, but police prevented workers from beginning preparations at the venue.
Venugopal visited Ramlila Maidan with Delhi Congress leaders to review arrangements and accused the Centre of attempting to obstruct opposition protests.
He said the party would continue its campaign demanding Kumar's removal and indicated that alternative protest locations could be considered if the opposition was prevented from assembling at Ramlila Maidan.
𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱
According to Venugopal, 21 opposition parties were expected to participate in the November 1 programme, which forms part of the INDIA bloc's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and what it describes as "vote chori".
Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party's Delhi leadership was coordinating preparations for the rally, with organisational arrangements being finalised in consultation with senior leaders.
The opposition has demanded Kumar's resignation and raised objections to the SIR exercise, alleging that eligible voters have been wrongly removed from electoral rolls.
The CJP's declaration of support adds another organisation to the campaign, although its precise role in the November 1 mobilisation remains unclear.