Mumbai, October 3, 2026: A social media exchange involving Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka has triggered a fresh political debate, with the CJP leaders criticising what they described as a “self-declared liberal ecosystem” for targeting CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Das suggested that such attitudes were not limited to the BJP ecosystem and referred to people associated with an unnamed “another party” who, according to him, behave as though they alone are responsible for protecting India and the Constitution. Importantly, Das did not explicitly name the political party he was referring to.
The remarks prompted Assam Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh to respond to the CJP, bringing disagreements among opposition and anti-establishment political groups into public view.
What Did Ashutosh Ranka Say?
The controversy began after CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka posted on social media about criticism directed at Abhijeet Dipke and the CJP.
Ranka alleged that a “self-declared liberal” ecosystem had emerged to criticise Dipke as the CJP gained public attention. He argued that some people within this ecosystem considered themselves the primary defenders of democracy.
These are Ranka’s political assertions and interpretation, rather than independently established facts.
His remarks came shortly after the CJP organised a demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising questions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral rolls.
Saurav Das Refers to an Unnamed ‘Another Party’
Responding to Ranka’s post, Saurav Das expanded the criticism beyond the BJP.
Das argued that there was also a group linked to an unnamed “another party” that considered itself the custodian of the Constitution and the country. In his criticism, he used expressions including “self-declared liberals”, “thekedars of the Constitution” and “total buffoons”.
Das also argued that failures of established political actors had created space for younger political leadership.
These comments represent Das’s political opinion and criticism. They should not be treated as independently verified conclusions about any political party or group.
Crucially, Das did not identify the “another party” by name, so attributing the remark definitively to Congress, AAP or another party would go beyond what he publicly stated.
Congress Leader Reetam Singh Responds
Assam Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh subsequently criticised the CJP.
Singh claimed that Congress had offered assistance to CJP workers when they were detained in Assam but that the workers declined the help because, according to him, the Aam Aadmi Party had instructed them not to accept it.
This remains Singh’s claim. The available reporting does not establish it as an independently verified account confirmed by both CJP and AAP.
The exchange illustrates how the dispute has moved beyond criticism of the BJP and Election Commission and into disagreements among political groups that may otherwise share opposition to some government policies or institutions.
Mumbai Protest Forms the Political Backdrop
The dispute emerged after the CJP's October 2 demonstration at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
According to The Indian Express, thousands attended the demonstration, where the CJP demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns related to SIR and electoral rolls.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said the campaign will continue and announced further demonstrations if the CEC does not resign.
It is important to distinguish the CJP's allegations about electoral-roll irregularities from established findings. Political allegations concerning voter rolls remain claims unless substantiated through official investigations, court findings or independently verified evidence.
Why Does the CJP-Congress Exchange Matter?
The controversy highlights divisions that can emerge among parties, movements and civil-society groups that may agree on some issues while sharply disagreeing over political strategy, leadership and ownership of particular causes.
CJP leaders are positioning their organisation as a youth-driven political movement while simultaneously criticising sections of what they describe as an established liberal ecosystem.
Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh's response, meanwhile, raises questions about CJP's relationship with established opposition parties and the extent to which those groups are willing to cooperate.
However, social-media exchanges between individual political figures should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a broader formal conflict between entire political parties.
CJP Announces Another Protest
CJP has said its campaign over the Election Commission will continue. Reports say Dipke has announced another demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.
The latest dispute therefore comes as the CJP attempts to expand its political mobilisation beyond Mumbai.
At the same time, the identity of the “another party” mentioned by Saurav Das remains unspecified. Unless Das or the CJP publicly identifies the party, connecting the comment conclusively to a particular organisation would remain speculation.
