Abhijeet Dipke says CJP will push reforms as pressure group for now

Choosing advocacy over electoral ambition, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday announced that it will function as a pressure group for the time being, arguing that the country currently needs stronger public accountability rather than another political outfit.

Speaking ahead of the party's core committee meeting, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation would concentrate on amplifying public concerns and restoring confidence in key democratic institutions.

Dipke said the meeting would deliberate on the declining public trust in institutions such as the media and the judiciary, while also taking up issues including ethanol-blended fuel and unemployment.

'For now, CJP will be a pressure group, as that is what India needs,' Dipke said.

Chief spokesperson Saurav Das said activist Sonam Wangchuk would continue to mentor the organisation and that the party would seek his guidance on its future course.

Das also said the CJP was urging the government to withdraw FIRs registered against students who took part in recent protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities.

'We are talking with government representatives on this issue,' he said. According to Das, the organisation is also facilitating legal and medical assistance for students who were injured during the protests.

Dipke returned from the United States in June to spearhead demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

The campaign later spread across several cities, with some protests turning violent, leading to police action and the registration of cases against demonstrators.