'Protest Completely Failed': BJP's Pravin Darekar Slams CJP Agitation
BJP leader Pravin Darekar claims the CJP agitation in Mumbai failed to gain public support and saw empty streets during the demonstration.
In a sharp rebuke following the recent demonstrations in the city, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pravin Darekar has dismissed the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest held in Mumbai, labeling it a "complete failure." Claiming that the residents of Mumbai showed no interest in the movement, Darekar asserted that the agitation was rejected by the public.
Lack of Support from Major Parties
Speaking to ANI, Darekar highlighted the absence of significant political weight behind the demonstration. He noted that the protest failed to attract support even from major opposition factions, specifically mentioning the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
"The people of Mumbai did not respond. Go and see the numbers; both roads were empty," Darekar stated. He further alleged that the crowd consisted primarily of "sponsored people" targeting the BJP, alongside individuals holding leftist ideologies, rather than genuine citizens.
A Victory for Mumbai's Spirit
The BJP leader expressed his gratitude to the citizens of Mumbai for their perceived lack of participation in the agitation. Drawing on regional pride, he remarked on the cultural significance of the city.
"I thank the people of Mumbai. This is the soil of Mumbai, the land of Maharashtra. This is the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A rebellious tendency cannot survive here," Darekar remarked, suggesting that the city's residents had collectively moved to uproot the movement.
Police Action and Legal Consequences
The protest, organized by activists of the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) and other civil society groups, was held at Shivaji Park on Friday. The demonstration was aimed at the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Following the event, the Mumbai Police took legal action. An FIR has been registered at the Shivaji Park Police Station against the CJP organizers and approximately 400 to 500 unidentified supporters and agitators. The charges have been filed under the following provisions:
- Sections 189 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police (MP) Act