Congress and CJP clash over Assam detention snub and alleged AAP links

A bitter public dispute has broken out between the Congress and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) following the detention of dozens of youth activists in Assam, with Congress alleging that the group rebuffed its support on orders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The confrontation began after Assam Police detained CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and more than 40 volunteers in Guwahati ahead of a planned regional meeting. The activists had gathered at the Dispur residence of Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Kunki Chowdhury. While several opposition parties condemned the police action at the time, Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh later took to social media to state that local party workers directly intervened to secure the release of the detained volunteers.

Despite that assistance, Singh claimed, Ranka flatly turned down a courtesy meeting with Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and other senior leaders.

The allegation of AAP directives

According to Singh, Ranka declined to engage because the CJP outreach was framed as an initiative driven by AAP. In a public message directed at Ranka, Singh said the refusal came under direct instructions from AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, claiming that even Chowdhury had urged the group to hold talks with the Congress.

Singh also accused AAP of routinely attaching itself to independent public movements, pointing to past protests at Jantar Mantar as well as earlier anti-corruption demonstrations. He argued that the CJP belongs to the public rather than any single political outfit, insisting that decentralised movements should not operate under a strict party hierarchy.

CJP hits back at 'liberal ecosystem'

The spat followed sharp comments from CJP leaders questioning established opposition parties. Ranka had complained online about what he called a self-declared liberal network targeting CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, arguing that established groups resented his ability to mobilise public interest.

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das expanded on that criticism, taking aim at parties outside the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party that act as self-appointed caretakers of civil rights. Das remarked that certain politicians believe protecting the constitution is exclusively their preserve, labelling them entitled gatekeepers whose past failures prompted younger people to organise independently. Neither Ranka nor Das named the Congress in their initial posts, but the remarks clearly struck a nerve.

Threat of a funding exposé

The tension may soon spread beyond verbal sparring. Following the snub in Guwahati, some Congress leaders are privately weighing whether to release details concerning the CJP's internal finances and donors, a move that would significantly escalate political friction among opposition ranks.

Neither AAP nor the CJP has issued a formal response to the claims regarding funding disclosures, and it remains unclear whether the rift will affect joint opposition protests planned in other states.