Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday, expressing gratitude for her support during the organisation’s youth-led protests. However, Dipke clarified that the CJP would not formally participate in Sunday’s INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, stressing that the organisation wanted to retain its independent and neutral identity.
Dipke said the meeting was primarily aimed at thanking Banerjee for supporting the outfit’s first protest at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak and standing by its members when CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested by Delhi Police.
“I came here to thank Didi because she strongly supported our first Jantar Mantar movement and stood firmly with the youth movement. Even when Saurav and Ashutosh were arrested by Delhi Police, Didi stood with us,” Dipke said.
When asked whether the CJP would join the INDIA bloc’s rally against alleged electoral irregularities, Dipke said the organisation supported the cause but would maintain its distance from the political alliance.
“We support tomorrow’s protest and stand in solidarity with it. However, the Cockroach Janta Party is an independent organisation and a neutral platform. We want to maintain that identity,” he said.
He further stated that the CJP would extend support to any organisation raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, irrespective of its political affiliation.
“Anybody who fights against vote theft will have our support. We will support all organisations,” Dipke added.
MAMATA BANERJEE INVITES CJP ACTIVISTS TO WEST BENGAL
Banerjee, who was in Delhi to attend the INDIA bloc rally, praised Dipke and the young activists for their involvement in protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commission.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Trinamool Congress chief said the activists had extended support to the rally and that her party had reciprocated their solidarity.
“They have extended their full support for tomorrow’s rally, and we have extended all support to them as well. I am so proud of them. They are the pioneers and founders of this movement, and we must remember that,” Banerjee said.
She also appreciated their efforts to continue the protests despite facing difficulties and invited Dipke and other CJP activists to visit West Bengal to organise programmes.
When asked whether the activists would organise an event in Kolkata, Banerjee said the decision would rest with the organisation.
“That is for them to decide. It is their choice,” she said.
INDIA BLOC PREPARES FOR RALLY AT RAMLILA MAIDAN
The meeting took place a day before the INDIA bloc’s proposed mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. Opposition parties planned the mobilisation to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demand accountability from the Election Commission, including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Preparations for the gathering included a large stage with arrangements for representatives of different INDIA bloc parties, along with security measures and mobilisation plans.
The Opposition had also announced a march from Minto Road towards Ramlila Maidan under the banner ‘Chalo Dilli’, with the rally scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm.
The mobilisation was expected to bring together political leaders, students, youth groups, workers, women and civil society organisations.
While the CJP expressed solidarity with the broader campaign against alleged vote theft, Dipke reiterated that the organisation would not formally join the INDIA bloc demonstration.
The outfit maintained that its support for electoral transparency and democratic accountability did not mean aligning itself with any political formation.