Gyanu must go: CJP backs INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally, seeks CEC’s resignation

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 29, 2026: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday extended its support to the INDIA bloc’s rally against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

In a statement posted on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the party had a responsibility to ensure that no eligible citizen was deprived of the right to vote. He added that the CJP would support organisations fighting for free and fair elections in the country.

"Gyanu (Gyanesh Kumar) must go! The Cockroach Janta Party extends its support to the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally. Nation above all! #JaiBhim #JaiHind," Dipke wrote. The party’s co-convenor also reposted the statement, saying that justice and accountability must prevail.

The CJP’s announcement comes amid evolving relations between the youth-led movement and the Congress. While some INDIA bloc parties had earlier sought to bring the CJP into a joint campaign, the Congress had maintained a cautious approach towards the organisation.

However, the Congress’s stance appeared to soften over the past month. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi invited CJP leaders to a meeting at his residence involving opposition allies, civil society representatives, and student and youth leaders. The CJP leaders did not attend the meeting.

This marks the first time the CJP has publicly extended support to a political opposition mobilisation. Although the party had welcomed the turnout at a march to the Supreme Court on October 12, it had not issued a public call for its supporters to participate.

In its statement, the CJP said the fundamental principle of democracy was that people should choose their government, rather than the government choosing its voters. It alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had undermined this principle and raised concerns about the possible exclusion of eligible voters.

The party said Gyanesh Kumar had lost the trust necessary to oversee free and fair elections and called for his resignation to restore the credibility and independence of the Election Commission.

Referring to the democratic vision of Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and other leaders, the CJP said democracy could succeed only when every citizen had an equal say in determining the country’s future.

"The idea was simple: bring more citizens into democracy, not keep them out of it," the statement said, expressing concern that the SIR exercise could result in eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls.

Relations between the Congress and the CJP had remained strained since the latter was founded in mid-May. Although Rahul Gandhi led protests against the NEET examination issue, he did not publicly endorse the CJP’s demonstrations in June and July. In October, however, Gandhi said there were no parallel protests, but only one protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The CJP subsequently expressed support for the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court. Its policy head, Mehr Pasricha, welcomed the mobilisation and praised the large turnout. Dipke also cautioned against attempts by the government to divide the opposition and protest movements.

Sources said some civil society activists had helped bridge the gap between the Congress and the CJP.