Guwahati, Sep 28 – Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said on Monday that the party is expanding its base across the Northeastern states and has received a positive response to its outreach. Ranka highlighted the CJP’s focus on issues affecting students and youth, and said the party would provide a platform for young people to raise their concerns.
Ranka’s remarks came a day after Assam Police detained him and more than 40 other CJP members for about ten hours in advance of a volunteer meet‑up. The party’s co‑founder described the police action as “completely illegal,” claiming the members were picked up from private property near the state secretariat. The detainees were released late on Sunday, and Ranka said police could not provide a reason for the arrest, citing orders from the top.
The CJP has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged exclusion of 13 crore names from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Ranka said the party will launch a nationwide protest on October 2 and will not back down until Kumar resigns. The party has warned of a “Jantar Mantar 2.0” if the CEC does not comply.
Ranka accused the BJP‑led government of manipulating constituency delimitation in Assam to benefit the ruling party, claiming that residents of one village could vote in three assembly constituencies. He questioned why the BJP is defending the CEC and urged Kumar to address the allegations in a press conference. The CJP insists it will continue to highlight student, youth, and indigenous rights issues and fight against what it calls “vote chori” and democratic erosion.
