2 weeks ago
CJP Alleges Venue Pressure as BJP Rejects Threat Politics Claims
Ashutosh Ranka leads an organisation called the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP.
He said several halls in Kolkata refused to host his group’s meeting.
Ranka believes the venues were pressured by the ruling BJP.
Because the event could not be held inside, he spoke to reporters outside the Kolkata Press Club.
The BJP said it was not responsible for the cancellations.
BJP leader Sajal Ghosh also made fun of CJP and its meeting.
Ranka said his group will continue working across West Bengal, especially on government education.
He also warned the government not to suppress protests by young people.
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka accused the Suvendu Adhikari government of pressuring Kolkata venues to cancel his organisation’s programme.
Bharat Sabha Hall and five other auditoriums allegedly refused to host the event, which Ranka addressed outside the Kolkata Press Club.
The BJP denied involvement, while Baranagar MLA Sajal Ghosh mocked CJP and questioned why venues would host its meeting.
Ranka said CJP would expand its Bengal activities and campaign to reform government education and improve public education quality.
Ranka offered BJP cooperation on education reforms but warned the government against intimidating students and young people.
- Who
- CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka, the BJP, and Baranagar MLA Sajal Ghosh.
- What
- Ranka accused Kolkata venues of cancelling or refusing his organisation’s programme under political pressure; the BJP denied the allegation.
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal, including Bharat Sabha Hall and the Kolkata Press Club.
- When
- Tuesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- Ranka said the alleged pressure was intended to prevent discussion and warned against intimidation while promoting education reforms.
CJP’s Allegations
BJP’s Response
Venue cancellations
CJP’s Allegations
Ashutosh Ranka said Bharat Sabha Hall and five other auditoriums refused to host CJP’s programme because of pressure from the ruling BJP.
BJP’s Response
The BJP denied having anything to do with the venue cancellations.
Political intimidation
CJP’s Allegations
Ranka said the alleged pressure showed fear of public discussion and warned that such threats could not continue.
BJP’s Response
Sajal Ghosh rejected the allegation and mocked CJP, saying respectable venue owners would not allow the organisation to hold a programme.
Youth and education politics
CJP’s Allegations
Ranka said CJP would expand its campaign for government-education reforms and warned West Bengal’s new government not to suppress younger people.
BJP’s Response
The article does not report a specific BJP response to Ranka’s education proposals or warning about young people.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)
- Speaker
- Ashutosh Ranka
- Event venue
- Bharat Sabha Hall in north Kolkata was scheduled to host the programme.
- Reported cancellations
- Ranka said Bharat Sabha Hall and five other Kolkata auditoriums refused to host the event.
- Alternative location
- Ranka addressed mediapersons outside the Kolkata Press Club.
- BJP response
- The BJP denied involvement; Sajal Ghosh criticised and mocked CJP.
- Campaign focus
- CJP plans to campaign across Bengal for changes to government education and improved public education quality.
Quotes
Ashutosh Ranka
Leader of the Cockroach Janata Party, speaking at a media gathering in Kolkata
“They are afraid of discussions. That is why they are doing all this. I want to say that fear has gone out of the minds of the people of this country. This kind of threat cannot continue for long.”
thestatesman.com
Sajal Ghosh
Baranagar MLA, member of the BJP
“The BJP has nothing to do with this. Can anyone in their right mind allow cockroaches to hold a meeting? They could have gone towards Chinatown instead.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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