Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has taken a dig at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleging that the group is acting in favour of the Congress amid an ongoing dispute over its proposed October 2 protest in Mumbai.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tawde referred to the CJP as the “Congress Joint Party” before describing it as the “Congress Jitao Party”. She alleged that the organisation’s actions were aligned with the Congress.
“They have their freedom to do whatever they want to, we’ll do our work. The Janta is watching all of it,” Tawde said.
Her remarks came shortly after CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the organisation would hold a “Jail Bharo Andolan” in Mumbai on October 2, after Mumbai Police denied permission for its proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park.
CJP Announces Jail Bharo Andolan
Dipke announced the proposed agitation in a post on X, writing, “Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai. October 2, Shivaji Park. #SaveDemocracy”.
The CJP had planned its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and has been demanding his resignation. The organisation has also raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and sought changes to the legal framework governing the Election Commission.
Dipke had earlier said that the police’s decision to deny permission was unacceptable and alleged that it amounted to an attempt to suppress citizens’ voices. He had warned that the group would launch a Jail Bharo Andolan if permission for the October 2 protest was denied.
Why Mumbai Police Denied Permission
According to Mumbai Police, the CJP had sought permission to hold the protest at Shivaji Park between 3 pm and 9 pm on October 2.
Police cited restrictions governing the use of Shivaji Park, including a 2013 Bombay High Court order and subsequent Maharashtra government guidelines. Authorities also said the organisers had not submitted the required permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for use of the ground.
The police further cited concerns over noise pollution and traffic congestion in the area. Shivaji Park is located in a residential area and within a silence zone, while several hospitals are situated nearby. Police said traffic disruption could affect the movement of patients and emergency services.
Mumbai Police advised the organisers to consider an alternative venue in the city and submit a fresh application for permission.
CJP’s Demands Over Election Commission
The CJP’s proposed protest is linked to its campaign against the Election Commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The organisation has demanded Kumar’s resignation and has raised allegations concerning the SIR exercise. It has also sought changes to the law governing the appointment of election commissioners and wider reforms to the poll body.
These are the CJP’s allegations and political demands and have not been established as findings of a court or election authority.
The latest developments come amid a wider political debate over the Election Commission, SIR and reported differences within the poll panel. The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that its functioning has broken down and has maintained that key SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
