GUWAHATI: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday, September 29, criticised the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the organisation had made resignation demands a recurring political issue.
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Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Athawale said the CJP had earlier demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.
“The CJP keeps asking only for resignations. They should change its name to the Istifa Janata Party,” Athawale said.
The CJP has demanded Kumar’s resignation over allegations related to the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The organisation has also announced a nationwide protest from October 2 if its demand is not met.
Athawale also criticised CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, describing him as relatively new to politics. He said Dipke was from Maharashtra and belonged to the Buddhist and Dalit communities, and had studied in the United States.
Athawale, who is also the president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), said he had been working on issues concerning Dalits and other backward classes for a long time.
He also praised the Union government’s efforts to address various issues in the country and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return for a fourth consecutive term in 2029.
During his Assam visit, Athawale inaugurated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan at Chapar in Dhubri district. He also interacted with local residents and elected representatives and paid floral tributes at a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar.
Athawale said the newly inaugurated building could serve as a centre for social justice, equality, education, social awareness and the empowerment of marginalised communities.
He further said Assam had witnessed rapid infrastructure development and attributed improvements in public facilities and convenience to initiatives undertaken by the Union government.
