Abhijeet Dipke meets Mamata Banerjee, says CJP won't join INDIA bloc rally

Abhijeet Dipke met Mamata Banerjee in Delhi and backed the INDIA bloc rally. The CJP will stay away to preserve its independent, politically neutral identity.

In Short

• Dipke says CJP will not formally join Sunday's rally to keep independent identity
• Banerjee praises CJP activists and invited them to organise events in West Bengal
• INDIA bloc prepares for large rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged electoral fraud

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday, thanking her for supporting the outfit's youth-led protests and expressing solidarity with the INDIA bloc's rally against alleged "vote chori". However, Dipke made it clear that the CJP would not participate in Sunday's opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan, maintaining that the organisation wanted to preserve its independent identity.

Dipke said he had called on Banerjee to thank her for standing with the outfit during its first protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak and for supporting 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.

Asked whether the CJP would participate in Sunday's INDIA bloc rally, Dipke said the organisation supported the cause but would not formally join the demonstration.

"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.

Dipke added that the CJP would support all organisations fighting against alleged electoral irregularities, irrespective of their political affiliations.

"Anybody who fights against vote theft will have our support. We will support all organisations," he said.

MAMATA BANERJEE INVITES CJP ACTIVISTS TO BENGAL

Banerjee, who is in Delhi to attend Sunday's INDIA bloc rally, praised Dipke and the young activists for their role 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 their full support to Sunday's programme and that her party had reciprocated their support.

"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 praised their efforts to sustain the protests despite difficulties and invited Dipke and other CJP activists to visit West Bengal and organise programmes there.

Asked whether the activists would hold an event in Kolkata, Banerjee said the decision rested with them.

"That is for them to decide. It is their choice," she said.

INDIA BLOC PREPARES FOR MEGA RALLY

Dipke's meeting with Banerjee came a day before the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Opposition parties are preparing to demonstrate against alleged electoral irregularities and demand accountability from the Election Commission, including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

With opposition leaders and supporters from different states beginning to arrive in the national capital, preparations for the mobilisation have gathered pace. The rally is expected to bring together political parties, student groups and civil society organisations.

A large tricolour canopy has been erected over the main stage, with separate arrangements for representatives of INDIA bloc parties and security preparations underway. The Opposition has planned a march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan, followed by a rally scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm.

The march, named 'Chalo Dilli', will begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan. INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the march's starting point.

The mobilisation extends beyond the alliance's political constituents. The INDIA bloc has appealed to students, youth, women, workers and civil society members to participate in the demonstration. The CJP and student organisations have also extended their support to the November 1 mobilisation.

The CJP, founded by Dipke, has reiterated its demand for Kumar's resignation and said it would stand with organisations fighting for free and fair elections. However, Dipke has clarified that the outfit will not formally participate in Sunday's rally.

- Ends