People Have No Faith In Judiciary, EC, Political Parties: Dipke
"The conclave will deliberate on how to expand the organisation's base across the country": Abhijeet Dipke
MUMBAI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday said the organisation would continue to function as a pressure group and had no plans to contest elections.
Speaking ahead of the CJP’s two-day core committee meeting at his residence in the Waluj area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mr. Dipke said the people have lost faith in politicians, political parties, the judiciary, journalists and the Election Commission. He added that the organisation wanted to focus on issues that, according to him, were not receiving adequate attention, including unemployment, the country’s economic situation and concerns over E20 ethanol-blended petrol.
The CJP is holding a two-day conclave in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to discuss its future roadmap.
"The conclave will deliberate on how to expand the organisation's base across the country. We would announce a roadmap on Thursday after the conclusion of the conclave," Mr. Dipke said.
Responding to a question on the ongoing protest in Jharkhand, Mr. Dipke said the CJP had spoken to the protesting students and extended its support. “We will do whatever possible to support their protest,” he said.
Students and job aspirants in Jharkhand have been protesting in Ranchi since July 29 over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations, with several protesters on an indefinite hunger strike.
Mr. Dipke said the CJP aimed to strengthen its organisation and expand its presence in other States, claiming it had received support from across the country.
Asked whether the CJP could eventually become a political party, Mr. Dipke said there were no such plans and remarked that the media appeared more enthusiastic about the possibility than the organisation itself. He clarified that his earlier comments about floating a political party had been made in a lighter vein.
“People have lost faith in all institutions, including the political system, the judiciary, the media and the Election Commission. The overwhelming support for the CJP’s protest showed that the issue was no longer confined to education. As the agitation progressed, the anger expressed at Jantar Mantar, Mumbai, West Bengal and other parts of the country reflected the public’s declining trust in these institutions,” he said.
Mr. Dipke added that the CJP would work to make institutions more accountable and impartial. Reiterating that the country needed a public movement rather than a political party, he said, “The CJP will function as a pressure group because that is what India needs.”