Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the BJP of pressuring and threatening him to join the party, even alleging that his family and associates were threatened during his protest at Jantar Mantar. Maharashtra BJP leaders, including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, have vehemently denied these claims, demanding concrete proof and stating that the party does not tolerate wrongdoing, urging Dipke to name any individuals involved. Amidst this controversy, Shiv Sena MLC Bacchu Kadu visited Dipke, describing the meeting as a personal interaction between fellow agitators and suggesting that BJP leaders should address any problematic behavior from their party members.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the BJP of pressuring and threatening him to join the party, even alleging that his family and associates were threatened during his protest at Jantar Mantar. Maharashtra BJP leaders, including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, have vehemently denied these claims, demanding concrete proof and stating that the party does not tolerate wrongdoing, urging Dipke to name any individuals involved. Amidst this controversy, Shiv Sena MLC Bacchu Kadu visited Dipke, describing the meeting as a personal interaction between fellow agitators and suggesting that BJP leaders should address any problematic behavior from their party members.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the BJP of pressuring and threatening him to join the party, even alleging that his family and associates were threatened during his protest at Jantar Mantar. Maharashtra BJP leaders, including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, have vehemently denied these claims, demanding concrete proof and stating that the party does not tolerate wrongdoing, urging Dipke to name any individuals involved. Amidst this controversy, Shiv Sena MLC Bacchu Kadu visited Dipke, describing the meeting as a personal interaction between fellow agitators and suggesting that BJP leaders should address any problematic behavior from their party members.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke’s allegation that he is being pressured and threatened to join the BJP has triggered a row, with Maharashtra BJP leaders rallying against his statement, seeking proof.

Dipke, who returned to his hometown after the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, said he did not accept the offer to join the BJP. He also levelled allegations that his parents and associates were threatened during the protests.

However, Maharashtra Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader  Chandrashekhar Bawankule has issued a strong response to the  allegations, stating that if any BJP worker had threatened or made  an offer to Dipke, it should be made public. “Attempts to tarnish the BJP's image should not be made without evidence,” he said.

Bawankule stated that the BJP is the largest political party in the country. The party has 15.1 million primary members in Maharashtra, while there are over 130 million members nationwide. “If Abhijeet Dipke has any concrete information, he should name the person concerned. The BJP does not patronise any wrongdoing. Strict action will be taken if found guilty," he added.

Meanwhile, there was a political buzz in Maharashtra over ruling Shiv Sena MLC Bacchu Kadu visiting Dipke. Kadu claimed he was visiting in his personal capacity and not as a representativ e of the government or his party.  "I came here as an agitator and met another agitator," said Kadu, who is known for his protests to secure the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) as well as farmers.

Kadu, however, said Dipke should be congratulated for the protest at Jantar Mantar. "Government and political parties are a different matter, but Abhijit should be congratulated. We should stand with people who fight. I congratulated him,'' he said.

Asked about Dipke facing threats, Kadu said BJP leaders should speak to those issuing threats and "behaving in the wrong way".

TAGS