CJP to Reassess Protest Strategy After Leaders’ Release, Says Abhijeet Dipke

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will reassess its protest strategy after the release of its members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Sunday. The party has been protesting against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

According to news agency ANI, Dipke said the party would meet to discuss its next steps once the two spokespersons return.

“Once Saurav and Ashu come, we will gather, restrategise, and determine how to move forward. Given what we have witnessed over the past few days, including the illegal arrests and detentions, it is clear that there is an attempt to intimidate us,” Dipke said.

He added that the party would not retreat despite the recent developments, describing the campaign as a long battle.

“However, we will neither be intimidated nor back down. This is a long battle, and we are fully prepared for it,” he said, expressing hope that both leaders would be released on Sunday.

Abhijeet Dipke Granted Conditional Bail

Dipke was granted conditional bail on Saturday, a day after he was detained while travelling to Connaught Place in Delhi and subsequently arrested.

The CJP founder had called for a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at 5 pm on Friday, October 16. Delhi Police served him a notice asking him not to participate in the proposed march hours before it was scheduled to begin.

Despite the notice, Dipke headed towards Connaught Place on Friday evening, where he was detained.

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Remain in Custody

CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka continued to remain in judicial custody as of Sunday. A Special Executive Magistrate had remanded the two to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday, a day after they allegedly entered the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar.

Dipke had expressed concern over their detention in a post on X on Saturday, saying he was waiting for their release.

Protests Over Electoral Roll Revision

The developments come amid demonstrations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. Opposition leaders have also raised concerns about the electoral roll revision process.

The protests and the detention of CJP members have added to tensions surrounding the party’s campaign against the Election Commission.