CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has criticised the proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, questioning the organisation’s reported support for Umar Khalid and its social media posts involving references to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mahatma Gandhi.
Rane said the government had no objection to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke or Saurabh Das personally, but objected to what he described as their support for Khalid. His remarks were made ahead of the CJP’s planned October 2 protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The minister also referred to images and posts allegedly circulated in connection with the protest. He questioned an image showing a cockroach below a depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and another social media post featuring Mahatma Gandhi with the words “Shivaji Park” below the image. These were Rane’s interpretations of the posts.
The proposed protest is part of CJP’s campaign over electoral-roll revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The organisation has also demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Mumbai Police had denied permission for the proposed gathering at Shivaji Park, after which Dipke announced plans for a “Jail Bharo Andolan.”
Rane also spoke about reforms in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), saying the state government was open to suggestions and committed to addressing issues related to the commission. He said the government would consider public feedback on reforms.
The exchange comes amid a wider political debate over the Election Commission, electoral-roll revision and the SIR process, with different political groups taking opposing positions on the issue.
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