Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai stated that his organisation, We The Leaders, does not support the Cockroach Janta Party due to differing objectives, but he firmly backs the group's right to protest in India. Speaking at an event, Annamalai explained that while their movement's goals are completely different from those of CJP, the group maintains a democratic right to express dissent.
Annamalai had previously described CJP's protest tactics as misguided, while consistently maintaining that they have every right to oppose issues they deem important. His remarks follow a political row regarding the Delhi Police's handling of a CJP demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. While addressing reporters in Chennai, the former IPS officer criticised police detentions, warning that such actions would likely strengthen the group's leadership rather than weaken it.
The BJP leader also questioned the existing restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and raised concerns over the preventive detention powers exercised by police officials. CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were previously detained by the Delhi Police and spent seven days in custody following an order by a special executive magistrate's court.
Additionally, Annamalai questioned whether any accountability measures had been implemented regarding the alleged use of pellet guns or standard operating procedure violations during NEET-related protests. He also referenced a Dussehra celebration where a cockroach effigy was burned, noting that national publicity for the incident was led by BJP MLA Ashok Goel.