Cockroach Janta Party linked to AAP? Ex-civil servant quits after questioning link

A political movement built around cockroaches, memes, and satire has suddenly become one of the most talked-about online campaigns in India. The Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Boston-based Abhijeet Dipke, has gained massive online traction with its videos mocking the establishment and slogans targeting political hypocrisy. Its Instagram follower count has raced past that of the BJP, Congress, and every other political party in India. But questions are also mounting over its association with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Dipke was earlier associated with the AAP but has denied any links with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party at present. But as the mysterious Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) captures the internet's imagination, questions are growing louder over its independence.

Former civil servants and educationists have alleged that the CJP might not be an independent citizens' initiative at all, but a "covert political project" linked to the AAP. They have also pointed to the timing of its birth, coming close on the heels of Kejriwal's appeal.

At the centre of the controversy is Dipke, whose past association with the AAP has fuelled suspicion among some who had earlier joined the Cockroach Janta Party with great enthusiasm. Dipke had earlier worked with the AAP in its social media and election campaign operations, leading many to question whether the supposedly independent digital movement is actually politically backed.

Dipke's assertion that he didn't hide his past association with the AAP, and that he didn't have anything to do with the Kejriwal-led party failed to satisfy some of the critics.

ASHISH JOSHI ASKS POINTED QUESTION, QUITS COCKROACH JANTA PARTY

Among those who publicly raised concerns was former civil servant Ashish Joshi, who had initially supported the CJP's campaign. On Wednesday, Joshi posted on X demanding clarity from Dipke on whether the movement was genuinely independent or linked to the AAP. He gave Dipke 24 hours to respond.

"Dear Abhijeet Dipke, great initiative by you. But a lot of people are writing to me that the CJP is an AAP initiative," Joshi said. "People are saying that I should stay away from the experiment. So I request you to clarify whether CJP is an independent initiative or not," he further added.

Joshi also mentioned that he is a "neutral person politically", and would not like to be part of an "initiative of a political party".

But when no clarification came, Joshi announced on Thursday night that he was withdrawing his support from the movement.

"CJP has potential, and I wish them well, but I refuse to be part of a movement that is not genuinely independent," Joshi wrote, saying Dipke had failed to address concerns over the initiative's political affiliations.

EDUCATIONIST ACCUSES CJP OF BEING AN 'AAP VENTURE'

Before Joshi, a prominent educationist on X, Sandeep Manudhane had earlier warned people to "beware of the suddenly arrived Cockroach Janta Party", alleging in a May 17 post on X that the campaign was "an AAP venture" and part of a broader attempt to "destroy opposition space by new means". Manudhane also drew parallels between the Cockroach Janta Party and Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption (IAC) movement that emerged in early 2011.

Referring to allegations that the anti-corruption campaign was ideologically backed by the RSS, Manudhane said, "Fool me once (IAC), shame on you. Fool me twice (CJP), shame on me."

The CJP first gained national attention through a satirical campaign targeting remarks made by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, about Indian youth. The movement's irreverent tone, combined with sharp political messaging and meme-driven outreach, quickly found resonance among sections of social media users frustrated with conventional politics.

ABHIJEET DIPKE CLARIFIED ON AAP TIES

As the CJP grows, so has scrutiny over it intensified. Dipke, who is currently in the United States and is studying public relations at Boston University, had earlier tried to clarify about the CJP's independence.

People are also claiming that the emergence of the CJP may have been part of a pre-planned political strategy by the Aam Aadmi Party, drawing parallels with remarks made by the party's national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, on May 13 after allegations surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak surfaced.

Responding to the controversy, Kejriwal had urged students to launch protests on the streets against the government.

"I stand with all those affected children. I want to tell students that they will have to come out on the streets. This government understands only the language of agitation. Kejriwal is with you," Kejriwal had said.

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV on May 20, Dipke said that he worked for the AAP from 2020 to 2023. He also revealed why he joined the AAP.

"I worked there from 2020 to 2023 for a brief period. I was actually very inspired by the health and education model they worked on. It was refreshing because, in Indian politics then, health and education were nowhere in the discourse, and he delivered on that. So I was inspired by it and wanted to contribute," Dipke told India Today TV.

Dipke also said that he later thought maybe he needed to move forward with life and decided to take a year off.

"I started preparing my applications, and in 2024, I decided it was time to focus on personal life and financial stability. I applied to some universities, got into Boston University, and I have been here since then,' Dipke added.

MANISH SISODIA'S VIDEO ADDS FUEL TO CJP SPECULATION

The allegations of CJP being the venture of AAP intensified after senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia publicly backed the Cockroach Janata Party. In an Instagram reel posted on May 20, Sisodia declared, "If there is a war between a crocodile and cockroaches, I will proudly stand with the Cockroach Janata Party."

After Sisodia's video surfaced, people flagged Dipke's old post before he left for Boston. Dipke thanked Sisodia for the opportunities when he was with the AAP.

"Thank you for everything, Manish Sisodia, sir. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities you provided me while working with you. Leaving for Boston with your guidance as my compass. No distance will ever weaken my commitment to AAP," Dipke wrote on X. Dipke added a picture of himself and Manish Sisodia sharing a side hug.

Whether the Cockroach Janta Party is an organic online uprising or a carefully crafted political experiment is still unclear. But what is certain is that a movement which began with satire and cockroach symbolism has now entered the heart of India's political discourse. More clarity is likely to emerge in the coming days. For now, it is interesting to watch how the "cockroaches" are voicing the angst and demands of the people.

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