Mumbai, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP), launched a verbal assault on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. He urged the state government to avoid making strategic mistakes and challenged authorities to arrest him before the CJP’s protests scheduled for October 2.
Dipke recalled a significant error from July 20, stating, “If you want to arrest us, do it now.” He labeled Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar a “traitor” and demanded his immediate resignation over alleged large-scale manipulations in the voter list.
He accused the ruling coalition of depriving citizens of their voting rights, asserting that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is being used as a political tool. Emphasizing the need for transparency, Dipke noted that the 13 crore voters whose names were removed from the list would take to the streets, demanding the resignation of Kumar’s superior.
Moreover, he called for the ECI to halt the recent “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) list and insisted that upcoming elections should strictly adhere to the 2005 voter list.
Addressing concerns regarding police approval for protests, Dipke dismissed the need for official permits, drawing parallels to India’s freedom struggle. “Which of our protests has received approval? We are protesting democratically against the ruling government; why would they allow it?” he questioned. He added, “If Mahatma Gandhi had asked the British for permission to protest, they would have denied it. Whether we get permission or not, we will march.”
In response to Fadnavis’s recent comment that protesters might spend three days in jail before being granted bail, Dipke quipped, “Keep me in jail for three months instead… I will keep coming back to the streets.”
He also raised concerns about discrimination in granting venues for protests, questioning why Fadnavis could hold a political rally at Shivaji Park while protesters were barred from the same location.
Dipke announced that the CJP would fully support the opposition’s joint movement on October 4. While he embarks on a nationwide tour, CJP activists are expected to gather in large numbers in Mumbai to form a united front against the ECI.
Looking ahead to future electoral dynamics, Dipke highlighted the power of young voters, predicting that by the 2029 elections, the “Gen Z” demographic would emerge as the largest voting bloc. “It is our responsibility to provide them with the country they envision and deserve,” he stated.
Opposition parties are also preparing for significant protests outside the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on October 6, signaling a growing confrontation between opposition factions and the Election Commission, starting with the CJP’s demonstrations in Mumbai on October 2.
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