Manish Brahmbhatt launches Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic amid allegations of AAP influence

Activist Manish Brahmbhatt announced the launch of the Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic (CJP-D) on September 3, 2026. The new platform is positioned as an alternative to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a political satirical outfit that led a nationwide movement and Jantar Mantar protests over education issues and examination paper leaks. Brahmbhatt alleges that the CJP, led by national convenor Abhijeet Dipke, has become politicized and aligned with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Brahmbhatt claims that the CJP leadership failed to consult volunteers and protesters when forming its national working committee. He alleges that the selection process was arbitrary and that eight members associated with the AAP were included while grassroots volunteers and representatives from other political parties, including the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, RJD, and Samajwadi Party, were excluded. He further questioned the representation of women, Muslims, Sikhs, and students within the CJP leadership.

While the CJP has stated it intends to function as a public pressure group rather than an electoral party, Brahmbhatt argues that the current leadership is following Kejriwal's agenda. He stated that the CJP-D will instead seek to create a national team through a democratic process that involves volunteers in decision making.

Reporting on the event differed slightly by political lean. A center-left source focused on the lack of diverse representation and the betrayal of the student-led movement's original objectives. A center-right source framed the event as the original outfit being sold out and politicized, emphasizing the claim that the CJP has effectively become Team Kejriwal.