Dipke threatens a jail-bharo agitation from October 2, alleges electoral roll manipulation and calls for freezing revised voter lists.
Mumbai, October 2026 : Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, challenging the state government to arrest him ahead of the party’s planned demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from October 2.
“Do not repeat the mistake committed on July 20. If you want to arrest us, do it right now,” Dipke said at a press conference in Mumbai, warning that the party would proceed with its agitation despite the possibility of police action.
Dipke demanded Kumar’s immediate resignation, accusing him of presiding over electoral roll manipulation and alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was being used for political purposes. He described the Chief Election Commissioner as a “traitor to the nation”, a charge that remains his allegation.
Claiming that approximately 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls across the country, Dipke called for greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission. He demanded that the commission freeze the recently revised voter lists under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and conduct upcoming elections using the 2005 electoral rolls.
“Whoever occupies the post of Chief Election Commissioner must be transparent,” he said, adding that the alleged deletion of voters’ names could trigger widespread public protests.
Dipke Questions Police Permission for Protest
Responding to questions about police permission for the demonstrations, Dipke said the party would continue its protest regardless of whether formal authorisation was granted. Drawing a parallel with India’s freedom struggle, he referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement to defend the party’s decision to proceed.
“Which of our protests was ever granted permission? We are protesting democratically against the ruling power. Why would they permit it? Had Mahatma Gandhi asked the British for permission to protest, they would have refused him too. Permission or not, we will march,” he said.
Dipke also responded to Fadnavis’s recent remarks about protesters potentially spending three days in jail before securing bail. Dismissing the warning, he said he was prepared to remain behind bars for a longer period.
“Keep me in jail for three months instead of three days. I will return to the streets again and again,” he declared.
Questioning the criteria for granting permission to political gatherings, Dipke asked why his party should be prevented from protesting at Shivaji Park when other political leaders were allowed to organise rallies there.
CJP to Support Opposition Agitation
Dipke announced that CJP would extend support to the opposition’s proposed joint agitation on October 4. Although he would be travelling across the country, he said party workers would mobilise in Mumbai and participate in a broader campaign against the Election Commission, setting aside political differences.
The party has also indicated plans to expand its agitation beyond Mumbai to other cities, including Goa, Bengaluru and Kolkata, before taking the campaign to New Delhi. The protest movement is intended to continue until the CEC resigns, according to Dipke. <Cite refs={["turn831092search5","turn831092search9"]}/>
He also highlighted the role of young voters in shaping the country’s political future, saying Generation Z would form a significant electoral constituency by the 2029 general elections.
“It is our duty to deliver the kind of country they envision and deserve,” he said.
Responds to Criticism Over Expensive Shoes
Addressing criticism over his choice of expensive footwear during political campaigns, Dipke defended his decision to wear shoes reportedly costing Rs 30,000.
“I wear Rs 30,000 shoes because I can afford them. I am a massive Shah Rukh Khan fan. It was simply a fan moment and a reel,” he said.
The CJP’s planned Mumbai agitation comes amid growing political debate over the SIR exercise and demands for greater transparency in electoral processes. Opposition parties have also announced plans for a demonstration outside the Election Commission’s headquarters in New Delhi on October 6.
Dipke reiterated that his party would continue pressing for Kumar’s resignation and changes to the electoral roll revision process.
