Who is Ajinkya Shinde? The CJP organiser leading Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest after Dipke’s detention

Ajinkya Shinde, a 35-year-old resident of Latur in Maharashtra, recently took over as the leader of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi following the detention of party founder Abhijeet Dipke at the airport. In a video posted on his Instagram page, Shinde urged supporters to march towards Jantar Mantar, warning that police could not halt the movement.

The CJP claims that the protest is a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who is allegedly involved in irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Dipke had named Shinde as the person who would lead the movement after him in a video released by the party before his detention.

Shinde, who holds a BTech from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, has been working behind the scenes for the party since August 2026, when he was appointed National Organising In-charge. Reports suggest that he has played a central role in the party's Mumbai operations and spearheaded its "School Thik Karo" campaign.

However, his past ties to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have drawn controversy, with BJP leader Amit Malviya criticizing his appointment through a photograph of Shinde with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. Despite this, the CJP maintains that Shinde is no longer affiliated with AAP and continues to lead the protest until the detained leaders are released.