Gen Z's 'cockroach' party is challenging Modi over 130 million deleted voter names

A new youth-focused political force, described by critics as the 'cockroach party,' is challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP as India heads into elections, centering on Generation Z and first-time voters. The article frames the contest as part of a broader clash between Modi's long-running growth-and-stability narrative, anchored in promises of jobs and 'achhe din' since 2014, and a rising cohort demanding accountability and fresh perspectives. A central issue highlighted is the controversy over electoral rolls: opponents allege that about 130 million names were deleted, raising concerns about disenfranchisement and the integrity of the voter list, while supporters argue the deletions remove duplicates and ineligible entries. The piece examines how Gen Z voters respond to both the ruling party and the new entrant, noting concerns around employment opportunities, education, technology-enabled growth, and political trust. Analysts describe a shifting political terrain in which youth turnout and digital campaigning could influence outcomes, even as parties push competing visions for India's economy and social policy. The article suggests that the election's result may hinge on how effectively the new movement translates youthful energy into votes while the BJP sustains its traditional appeal to first-time voters.