Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday, thanking her for backing the outfit’s youth-led demonstrations while reaffirming its decision to remain independent of the INDIA bloc. The meeting came ahead of the Opposition alliance’s November 1 rally against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

Dipke said the meeting was intended to acknowledge Banerjee’s support for the CJP’s protests, particularly its campaign against the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar. He also credited her with standing by the organisation when its leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were arrested by Delhi Police.

“I came here to thank Didi because she strongly supported our first Jantar Mantar movement and stood firmly with the youth movement. Even when Saurav and Ashutosh were arrested by Delhi Police, Didi stood with us,” Dipke said.

Despite expressing support for the Opposition’s campaign against alleged “vote chori”, Dipke ruled out the CJP’s formal participation in Sunday’s demonstration at Ramlila Maidan. He said the organisation wanted to retain its identity as an independent and politically neutral platform.

“We support tomorrow’s protest and stand in solidarity with it. However, the Cockroach Janta Party is an independent organisation and a neutral platform. We want to maintain that identity,” he said.

Dipke added that the CJP would extend support to any group campaigning against alleged electoral malpractice, regardless of its political affiliation.

“Anybody who fights against vote theft will have our support. We will support all organisations,” he said.

Mamata Banerjee praises youth activists, extends invitation to Bengal

Banerjee welcomed Dipke and praised the young activists for their role in protests against the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls. The Trinamool Congress chief, who is in the national capital for the INDIA bloc rally, said the support extended by the activists had been reciprocated by her party.

“They have extended their full support for tomorrow’s rally, and we have extended all support to them as well. I am so proud of them. They are the pioneers and founders of this movement, and we must remember that,” Banerjee told reporters after the meeting.

She also acknowledged the activists’ efforts to continue their campaign despite challenges and invited Dipke and other CJP members to visit West Bengal and organise programmes there.

When asked whether the group would hold an event in Kolkata, Banerjee said the decision would be theirs to make.

“That is for them to decide. It is their choice,” she said.

The meeting highlighted the support shared by the CJP and some Opposition parties on electoral issues, even as Dipke maintained that his organisation would not formally align itself with the INDIA bloc rally.

Opposition prepares for Ramlila Maidan mobilisation

The meeting took place as Opposition parties prepared for a major gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. The rally is aimed at raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Opposition has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Organisers have made arrangements for leaders and participants arriving from different states. A large canopy in the colours of the national flag has been erected over the main stage, with separate arrangements planned for representatives of INDIA bloc parties and security measures being put in place.

The programme includes a march from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan, followed by the rally. The march, named ‘Chalo Dilli’, is scheduled to begin at noon, while the broader programme is expected to run from 10 am to 5 pm.

According to the announced plan, INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to the march’s starting point.

The alliance has appealed to students, young people, women, workers and civil society groups to join the mobilisation. Student organisations and other groups have also expressed support for the campaign against alleged electoral malpractice.

The CJP has reiterated its demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and said it would support organisations advocating free and fair elections. However, Dipke has maintained that solidarity with the cause does not mean the outfit will formally join the INDIA bloc’s demonstration.