The BJP’s main ally at the Center and the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh sees “youthful aspirations” as the main driver behind the rise of the online satirical Cockroach Janta Party. “After seeing this movement, it seems we need to reset our policies,” Bala Srinivasa Rao, TDP state unit president, said on Sunday.
Rao stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telugu Desam Party supremo Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu “always think about the youth” and that “their policies are largely geared towards job creation, economic development, digital India and investment attraction”.
However, he pointed out, “I have seen and heard about the Janata Cockroach Party, which has created a huge buzz on social media. They are living up to the aspirations of the youth.” Speaking to ANI in Vijayawada, he also said, “We will definitely take note of our policymakers and see that the aspirations of the public are being met.”
He said some of the concerns they raised, “particularly the Sarsour Janata Party”, should be “taken into consideration”.
The news agency then asked him if he saw any difference between the NDA’s allies, the BJP and the TDP, on the issue, as the BJP-led Center had issued ban orders against the CJP’s social media, as alleged by its founder Abhijit Debke, a US-based student.
Some BJP ministers and senior leaders even used phrases like “foreign hand” or “henchmen from Pakistan” to question the credibility of the BJP.
“Young people must be warned.”
Rao then said: “As an NDA partner, we always believe that our priority in policy making is job creation, but I would also like to warn the youth that the influence of external forces in unrefined media may play a crucial role.”
“Look, it may have been unemployment and some of these statements that triggered this,” he added, in an alleged reference to a statement by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant in which he used the words “cockroaches” and “parasites” when talking about fake degree holders.
“I would also like to warn young people that, since social media is a loose media, there may be influence of external forces and cross-border forces. Therefore, this must be checked,” he added.
Praise for Modi, Naidu
“Today, under the able leadership of our honorable Prime Minister, the world looks up to India as a leader. But most of the countries that don’t like it…its influence on social media may also play a role in this. But after asking the youth to be a little careful, we will also reset our policy on youth aspirations,” he explained.
He stressed: “Of course, we will certainly reset our policy and ensure that young people are not deceived and their aspirations are achieved.” It was then reiterated that “As NDA partners, BJP and TDP are aligned and have a common goal of providing better employment opportunities to the youth.”
The TDP has 16 Lok Sabha seats, making it a key ally of the BJP which fell short of a majority of 272 in the 2024 polls, ending up with 240 seats.
Within a week, the CJP had amassed more than 20 million followers on Instagram alone, highlighting issues within the education and employment sectors, before facing a surprise government crackdown. Her X account @CJP_2029 has been blocked in India “in response to a legal request,” according to the social media company. Founder Abhijit Deepki has alleged death threats, and his family home in Maharashtra now has a police security cover as authorities said they did not want crowding there after the CJP’s widespread outreach.
