Rijiju targets CJP founder as AAP worker, Athawale offers NDA berth

Union minister Kiren Rijiju has alleged that Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker posing as a student leader. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Rijiju said student concerns at Jantar Mantar were genuine but accused AAP of trying to “hijack” the movement for political gain. “Abhijeet Dipke is from Maharashtra, but he is an AAP worker. How did he become a 'student'?” Rijiju asked.

Separately, Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday offered Dipke a slot in his Republican Party of India (A), a BJP-led NDA ally. Athawale said Dipke, as an Ambedkarite, should join to “fulfil Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream”. The Hindustan Times reports that Dipke has not responded, having earlier ruled out electoral politics, saying people have lost faith in the system and the country needs a public movement, not another party.

The CJP is currently running a 'School Thik Karo' campaign in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, demanding better facilities in government schools. Dipke has said the group will remain a pressure group and not form a political party.