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New Delhi : Union minister Ramdas Athawale has extended a political invitation to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, asking the young activist to consider joining his Republican Party of India (A), an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.
Athawale’s proposal comes after Dipke gained prominence during student-led protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG 2026 controversy. The CJP founder has emerged as a vocal campaigner on issues concerning students, education and public accountability.
Speaking to reporters, Athawale described Dipke as a young and active Ambedkarite and said he should consider joining RPI(A). He also said those who believe wrongdoing should be punished should be part of the ruling alliance.
However, Dipke has not publicly accepted the invitation. His earlier statements indicate that he has no immediate plans to enter electoral politics. Instead, he has sought to position the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as a public movement focused on raising issues affecting ordinary citizens.
Dipke has previously argued that public confidence in political parties and the electoral system has weakened. Rather than contesting elections, he has said the CJP should concentrate on mobilising people and highlighting problems that directly affect them.
His profile rose significantly following the student agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where protesters demanded accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET-UG 2026 controversy. The protests later became a major political issue, with opposition parties also targeting the Centre over its handling of the matter.
Beyond student issues, Dipke has expanded his focus to education infrastructure through the ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, launched from his native village in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. The campaign seeks improvements in government schools, particularly in rural areas, while drawing attention to gaps in basic facilities and the growing financial burden of private education.
Athawale’s invitation now places Dipke at an interesting political crossroads. While the RPI(A) minister has offered him a route into the NDA camp, Dipke’s previous position suggests that he remains more interested in building a public movement than joining an established political party. For now, there has been no formal response from the CJP founder to Athawale’s offer.
