New Delhi: Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale has extended an invitation to Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), to join his party, which is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Athawale described Dipke as a young and active Ambedkarite voice and said his involvement could help strengthen both society and the RPI(A).
“I think Abhijeet Dipke is an Ambedkarite. He is active and young. He should consider joining Republic Party of India (A),” Athawale said, according to PTI.
The invitation comes at a time when Dipke has been building the CJP around social campaigns rather than electoral politics. He has repeatedly maintained that the organisation has no immediate plans to contest elections or transform itself into a conventional political party.
Earlier this month, Dipke told ANI that the current political system had failed to inspire confidence among many young people. He questioned whether creating another political outfit would solve the problems facing the country and argued that a wider public movement was needed instead.
Dipke also raised concerns over political institutions, alleging that investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation are being used to influence political developments and that votes are being deleted during elections.
Against this backdrop, the CJP has largely positioned itself as a pressure group focused on public issues. Education, particularly the functioning of government schools, has emerged as one of its key areas of activity.
CJP Steps Up ‘School Thik Karo’ Campaign
Dipke recently launched the “School Thik Karo” campaign, aimed at drawing attention to problems in government-run schools and demanding greater accountability from authorities.
As part of the campaign, Dipke on Sunday called for the immediate suspension of a government school principal in Maharashtra following allegations of alcoholism. At the same time, CJP volunteers in Rajasthan began inspecting government schools to highlight shortcomings and assess the conditions of public education facilities.
The campaign reflects the organisation’s stated focus on grassroots issues rather than seeking political office.
For now, Athawale’s invitation has opened the door to a possible political association, but Dipke’s previous statements indicate that he remains focused on building a public movement and using social campaigns to raise issues affecting young people and communities.
Whether the CJP founder eventually accepts the offer remains uncertain, but the invitation has brought renewed attention to his growing presence in Maharashtra’s social and public sphere.
