CJP extends support to INDIA bloc's November 1 rally Gyanesh Kumar's resignation: 'For every citizen's right to vote'
PTC News Desk: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday extended its support to the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s rally scheduled for November 1 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. The party also repeated its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
The move indicates that protests against alleged electoral irregularities could be coming together under a common campaign.
"Nation above all!" CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted on X, sharing a statement from the youth-led outfit. It was not immediately clear if he or others from the CJP would be on the stage or attend at all. The statement said, "The fundamental principle of democracy is that people get to choose their government, not that the government gets to choose its voters."
For weeks, the CJP and the Congress had been running separate campaigns against Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier, protests were also held in June and July over alleged examination paper leaks.
We extend our support to the INDIA Bloc’s November 1 protest rally.
Justice and accountability must prevail!
#GyaneshMustGo
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 28, 2026
The Congress had declined to participate in the CJP’s October 10 protest in Delhi, citing its own nationwide campaign. However, the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) supported the CJP. The Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK also backed the party despite their strained relations with the Congress-led INDIA bloc.
CJP leader Dipke had earlier said that the party would remain outside mainstream party politics. However, he clarified that the CJP was not opposed to the INDIA bloc, as both campaigns shared a common objective. Dipke had also worked with the AAP’s social media and election campaign teams between 2020 and 2023.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also used the phrase “all protests are one” in recent statements. Gandhi reportedly invited Dipke to a high-tea meeting with INDIA bloc leaders and members of civil society, but Dipke did not attend. Gandhi also criticised the Delhi Police’s arrest of CJP leaders.
CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were detained after allegedly trying to enter Jantar Mantar, which had been removed from the list of authorised protest sites. Das and Ranka were released from Tihar Jail after seven days after giving a written undertaking to a Special Executive Magistrate that they would not organise protests at Jantar Mantar until the site was officially denotified in accordance with the law.
Ramlila Maidan, where the November 1 rally will take place, is among three locations identified by Delhi Police for large demonstrations following the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
Congress MP Jebi Mather said the rally was a joint decision taken after discussions with INDIA bloc parties. She also said there were no differences among Opposition parties over the demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has asked party MPs to remain in Delhi from October 30 to November 1.
Delhi Police has issued a no-objection certificate for the rally, subject to certain conditions. The event is scheduled to take place between 10 am and 5 pm.
BJP objects to rally date
The BJP has criticised the choice of November 1 for the rally. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that Rahul Gandhi had insisted on the date to hurt the sentiments of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He also claimed that several INDIA bloc parties wanted the rally to be rescheduled.
Responding on X, Rahul Gandhi thanked the BJP and its allies for helping publicise the rally.
- PTC NEWS
