The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has taken an initiative to strengthen its organisational base in Tripura and bring the youth together on various public interest issues. The organisation plans to raise its voice on unemployment, healthcare services, the education system, electricity-related problems and other issues affecting the people of the state. However, it has made it clear that it will function as a completely non-political pressure group without any direct association with political parties.
Addressing a press conference at Agartala Press Club on Wednesday, CJP National Coordinator Sheikh Sahiluddin Shah outlined the organisation's plans and its future course of action in Tripura.
The press conference was attended by Noor Shah, an organisation leader from Manipur, along with youth representatives Shubham, Pranab and Aprajit, who are associated with the organisation's activities in Tripura, besides other volunteers. Sheikh Shah said the visit was aimed at developing an organisational structure in Tripura and discussing future programmes with local youths and volunteers.
He stated that the organisation has been holding discussions with volunteers and local leadership in different states to expand its activities. As part of this initiative, meetings were held with local youths and volunteers in Tripura. The primary objective, he said, is to transform the organisation from a social media-based platform into an active grassroots-level public forum.
He added that the organisation intends to raise issues concerning students, the youth and various regional interests in a systematic manner. According to him, local representatives Shubham, Pranab and Aprajit, along with several others, have already been making efforts to expand the organisation's activities in the state. A proper organisational structure will now be developed to strengthen their initiatives.
During the meeting with local volunteers, discussions were held on enrolling new members, preparing future programmes and increasing the organisation's acceptance among the youth.
Highlighting the prevailing issues in Tripura, Sheikh Shah said unemployment remains one of the major concerns in the state. He also pointed to shortcomings in healthcare services, problems in the education system, electricity supply and overall development. The organisation plans to identify these issues, collect information and raise demands before the concerned authorities with the participation of students and young people.
Clarifying the organisation's political position, he said CJP is neither a wing of any political party nor directly associated with any political outfit. It will function as an independent, non-political pressure group. He maintained that irrespective of which party is in power at the Centre or in the state, the government must function in accordance with the Constitution and remain accountable to the people. Evaluating the performance of the government and raising objections against decisions that go against public interest will be among its key objectives.
Responding to allegations that the organisation is opposed to the BJP, Sheikh Shah said CJP had expressed solidarity with certain protest programmes because of common concerns over issues such as electoral reforms. However, he clarified that such participation did not mean joining the platform of any political party. He asserted that the organisation would maintain its independent position irrespective of which party holds power.
On the question of a change of government, Sheikh Shah said bringing about a change in government was not the organisation's primary objective. Instead, its focus would be on electoral reforms and protecting the democratic and voting rights of citizens. He expressed concern that any situation in which people's voting rights are undermined would weaken the fundamental principles of democracy. The organisation, he said, would demand transparency in the electoral process and adherence to constitutional provisions.
He further alleged that instances of governments being changed through political defections and what he described as horse-trading since 2014 had weakened the country's democratic system. He said the issue of elected representatives switching political parties and the subsequent changes in political power needed serious attention. According to him, safeguarding citizens' voting rights and introducing necessary electoral reforms are essential to strengthening democracy.
Claiming that the organisation has received a positive response in Tripura, Sheikh Shah said around 7,000 to 8,000 volunteer registrations had already been received from the state through its registration process. The organisation intends to use this response to build a stronger organisational network across Tripura.
He also announced plans to establish a regional research and data collection team to study issues concerning Tripura, particularly those related to its status as a border state. Concerns surrounding infiltration and other regional issues will be examined through research and factual data before the organisation formulates its position and future programmes.
Meanwhile, youth representative Shubham said the young generation in Tripura was facing several challenges, particularly in employment, education and healthcare. He stressed the need to highlight these issues effectively and bring young people together to work consistently on matters concerning public interest.
Sheikh Shah said the immediate priority was to form a regionally led team in Tripura and strengthen the organisation's internal structure. He added that the organisational framework and future action plan of the Tripura unit would be finalised within the next few days and subsequently presented before the media.
The organisation aims to expand youth participation and take up various issues concerning the state, democratic rights and government accountability through sustained grassroots-level activities.
