CJP rise May complicate Congress prospects

New political alignments may reshape Opposition unity, intensify vote fragmentation and challenge Rahul Gandhi’s strategy.

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) has sounded a major alarm for the Congress. Although CJP leaders could not reach Jantar Mantar on Saturday, they are expected to form a political party soon. Their style of politics appears somewhat similar to that of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). For now, they are assessing the political situation. Following the ‘paper leak’ agitation, their efforts during ‘Delhi Movement 2’ successfully conveyed their message across the country. Most importantly, the support the CJP received from Left parties, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the AAP indicates that national politics could gradually move towards the formation of a Third Front.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has previously attempted to form a Third Front. Had his party not lost the Delhi Assembly elections, he might well have succeeded. In that scenario, the TMC and the Samajwadi Party (SP), both currently part of the INDIA bloc, would likely have joined the Third Front. Given the Congress’s weakening position, the CJP is unlikely to miss the opportunity to revive the idea of a Third Front, and Kejriwal could take the initiative. On Saturday, the police detained Kejriwal and other party leaders. It remains to be seen when the Third Front will actually take shape.