Politics

CJP Leader Saurav Das Hosts Diwali Party, Invites Opposition Figures

By HT Correspondent

CJP leader Saurav Das is hosting a Diwali party on Saturday and has invited several opposition leaders to attend. Among the invitees are Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and other AAP leaders, as well as TMC’s Derek O’Brien and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. Senior CJP figures, including Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka, are also expected to be present. A senior leftist told HT that the gathering will involve serious political discussions about the current situation. The meeting is notable amid growing perceptions that a section of the opposition is warming to the CJP. In recent weeks, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has sent signals to the CJP leadership and responded to their posts on social media. Gandhi’s comments began with a statement that there were no parallel protests against the CEC, followed by criticism of the arrest of CJP activists. He also endorsed the Congress‑led INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally and condemned the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after their attempt to protest at Jantar Mantar. Gandhi wrote on X that “Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.” He added that “Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights. Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke publicly thanked Gandhi for his intervention on behalf of the arrested activists. The exchange was significant because the Congress leader had previously avoided publicly associating himself with the outfit. On October 28, Dipke backed the Ramlila Maidan rally and said, “The Cockroach Janta Party extends its support to the INDIA Bloc’s November 1 rally. Nation above all!”