The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday claimed that the Centre had reached out to it for the first time since its protest at Jantar Mantar began, raising the possibility of formal talks even as thousands of supporters gathered for the party's 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament.
CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka said they were on their way to meet Union Minister and former BJP president JP Nadda after what they described as an outreach by the government earlier in the day.
"Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janta Party, are on our way to meet JP Nadda. The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth has gathered in huge numbers," Das said in a post on X.
The Centre has not officially confirmed the CJP's claim that it initiated contact with the organisation.
The development comes amid escalating tensions in the national capital, where the CJP's protest intensified during its 'Chalo Sansad' march. Demonstrators clashed with police near Parliament Street after allegedly attempting to breach security barricades.
Protesters also alleged that police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd, with several people reportedly sustaining minor injuries during the confrontation. Security was tightened across central Delhi as authorities sought to prevent protesters from reaching Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Earlier in the day, Das had indicated that the CJP remained open to dialogue if the government took the initiative.
"They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. There has been no clarity from their side as of now. The ball is in their court," Das told ANI.
The CJP has been leading protests demanding sweeping reforms in the education sector, including accountability for alleged examination paper leaks and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The agitation has drawn widespread participation from students and youth groups, with thousands assembling at Jantar Mantar before attempting to march towards Parliament.
