Mumbai, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday challenged the Maharashtra government to arrest him ahead of his party’s planned demonstrations in Mumbai from October 2 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Addressing a press conference, Dipke cautioned Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis against repeating what he described as a mistake made on July 20, and dared the authorities to arrest him immediately if they intended to do so.
Dipke accused Kumar of being responsible for alleged electoral roll manipulation and demanded his resignation. He also alleged that the ruling coalition was engaging in state-sponsored disenfranchisement and using the Election Commission of India (ECI) for political purposes. These allegations were not independently established in the statements provided.
Claiming that 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls across the country, Dipke called on the ECI to freeze the recent Special Summary Revision (SIR) lists and use the 2005 voter lists for upcoming elections.
Responding to questions about police permission for the demonstrations, Dipke said the party would proceed with its protest, comparing the demand for authorisation to restrictions faced by protesters during British rule. He also questioned why his party could not hold a demonstration at Shivaji Park, while Fadnavis had been allowed to hold a political rally there.
Reacting to Fadnavis’s reported remarks that protesters could face three days in jail before securing bail, Dipke said he was prepared to remain in custody for three months and return to the streets after his release.
Dipke also announced CJP’s support for a joint opposition agitation scheduled for October 4. Although he will be on a nationwide tour, he said party workers would join the protest in Mumbai as part of a broader front against the ECI.
Referring to the 2029 general elections, Dipke said Gen Z would constitute the largest voter demographic and called for addressing the aspirations of young voters.
He also dismissed criticism of his campaign wardrobe, including his Rs 30,000 shoes, saying he could afford them and that a social media reel featuring the footwear was a personal fan moment inspired by actor Shah Rukh Khan.
The Mumbai agitation on October 2 comes ahead of an opposition protest planned outside the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on October 6.
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