Now, a Pakistan and ISI-asset claim against Cockroach party, its founder

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the now viral Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has barely slept in the last 72 hours. As the CJP overtook the BJP, the world's largest party, on Instagram, amassing over 20 million followers in just a week since its launch, Dipke has been fielding a wave of questions and clarifying allegations on social media. The latest allegation that has gained traction is that a large section of CJP's followers is based in Pakistan. It has been amplified by BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary Tajinder Bagga as well as by party spokespersons.

Calling it "Pakistan Janta Party", Bagga on Friday shared data of what he claimed was the Cockroach party's country-wise Instagram followers. It showed that citizens from Pakistan (49%), the US (14%), and Bangladesh (14%) accounted for 77% of the party's Instagram followers. As per the data, India was in fourth spot, with just 9% follower count.

COCKROACH PARTY AND PAKISTAN FOLLOWERS

The data was also highlighted by BJP leader Priti Gandhi. "When your biggest fanbase sits across the border, in the enemy nation, maybe it's time to stop pretending who you really speak for," she posted on X.

This was not all. Considering the massive influx of followers for the party, which Dipke claims to channel Gen-Z concerns, several users have indicated it could be bots or inactive accounts from abroad.

Another section claimed that while the Cockroach party's follower count was surging on Instagram, it did not see a proportional increase on X. Interestingly, CJP's X handle was withheld in India on Thursday after a direction from the Centre. It was based on inputs from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which cited "national security concerns", according to a report in The Indian Express.

Before being blocked, the X account had more than 200,000 followers. It is, however, accessible from locations outside India. Hours later, Dipke formed a new handle on X, titled 'Cockroach Is Back'. And within no time, it has amassed nearly 1.56 lakh followers, including politicians and personalities like Mahua Moitra, Sagarika Ghose, Gul Panag and Prashant Bhushan.

As allegations came thick and fast, Dipke, a Boston University graduate, shared the "real data". It showed that people from India accounted for 94% of CJP's Instagram followers, followed by the US (1%) and the UK (0.7%).

"I know you are desperately trying to hack the account, but since you have failed to do so, let me share the real data. Why would you call 94% of Indian youth Pakistanis?" Dipke tweeted.

Neither Bagga nor Dipke cited the source of the data. Dipke, however, as the creator of the CJP handle, will have access to Instagram data regarding the geographical distribution of the account's followers. The data being shared by the BJP and Bagga is likely to have been culled out by third-party apps and may not be reliable.

So far, neither Meta nor Instagram has released any official data.

ABHIJEET DIPKE AN ISI ASSET?

It has, however, not stopped Dipke from facing an avalanche of criticisms, allegations and even threats. Such has been the frenzy around the CJP, which was launched a week ago as a parody party following controversial remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

During a hearing, the CJI allegedly compared unemployed youths to cockroaches. Even though he later clarified that he was misquoted, it wasn't enough to stop the cockroach juggernaut. What started as a satire has now become an online political movement.

At the centre of it is Abhijeet Dipke, a Pune resident who is now based in the US. He was also previously associated with the AAP.

A key allegation that has resurfaced against Dipke is that he is an "ISI-paid asset". Several users, including BJP leader Tajinder Bagga, have shared a 2019 complaint that was filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO). It accused Dipke of promoting Pakistan-linked narratives and provocative content. The complaint was filed as the Narendra Modi-led government abrogated Article 370.

In its complaint, the LRO accused Dipke, referring to him as a Pune AAP leader, of spreading "false propaganda" and "Hurriyat-style separatism". It asked the Pune Police to arrest him under UAPA, the anti-terror law.

However, the complaint was likely not taken forward. It remains an allegation. There is no official declaration by investigative agencies that Dipke is an "ISI asset".

For now, the Cockroach party remains an unusual mix of satire, protest politics and internet culture. While it may have started as a parody, it has quickly emerged at the centre of India's political discourse. The "voice of the lazy" and "unemployed" has surely dominated the news in India this week.

- Ends