Cockroach Janta Party linked to AAP? Founder Abhijeet Dipke’s past ties raise questions

A political movement built around cockroaches, memes, and satire has suddenly become one of India’s most talked-about online campaigns. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Boston-based Abhijeet Dipke, has gone viral for its anti-establishment videos and political satire.

Its Instagram following has even crossed that of major parties like the BJP and Congress. But along with the attention, questions are growing over its alleged links with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Political rise sparks scrutiny

Dipke was earlier associated with the AAP, though he has denied having any current link with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Even so, as the CJP gains popularity online, doubts about its independence have continued to grow.

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Former civil servants and educationists have alleged that the CJP may not be an independent citizens’ movement at all, but a “covert political project” linked to the AAP. Some have also pointed to the timing of its rise, which came soon after Kejriwal urged students to protest during the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

At the centre of the debate is Dipke himself. His past involvement in AAP’s social media and election campaigns has led many to question whether the supposedly independent movement has political backing.

Dipke has maintained that he never hid his earlier association with the AAP and currently has nothing to do with the party. But that explanation has not convinced everyone.

Concerns over political backing

Former civil servant Ashish Joshi, who initially supported the CJP, publicly sought clarity from Dipke on X. Joshi said many people had warned him that the movement was linked to the AAP and asked Dipke to clearly state whether it was independent.

Joshi also said he was politically neutral and did not want to be associated with any party-backed initiative.

When no response came, Joshi later withdrew his support, saying he did not want to be part of a movement that was not “genuinely independent”.

Before Joshi, educationist Sandeep Manudhane had also warned people to “beware” of the CJP, calling it “an AAP venture”. He compared it to the India Against Corruption movement of 2011 and referred to past allegations about ideological backing behind that campaign.

Online popularity fuels debate

The CJP first grabbed attention through satirical content targeting remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant about Indian youth. Its meme-heavy style and political messaging quickly found an audience online.

As the movement expanded, so did scrutiny over its origins. Dipke, who is currently studying public relations at Boston University, has repeatedly defended the CJP’s independence.

In an interview with a TV channel on May 20, Dipke confirmed that he worked with the AAP from 2020 to 2023. He said he joined the party because he was inspired by its focus on health and education.

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Dipke said he later stepped away to focus on his personal life and studies before moving to Boston University.

Questions over the CJP’s links intensified after senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia openly backed the movement in an Instagram reel.

Soon after, users flagged an old post in which Dipke thanked Sisodia for the opportunities he received while working with the AAP before leaving for Boston.

Whether the Cockroach Janta Party is an organic online movement or a carefully designed political experiment remains unclear. But its rapid rise, along with the debate around its alleged links to the AAP, has pushed it to the centre of India’s political discourse.