‘Money Power Works’: Dipke Alleges DUSU Campaigners Travelled in Rolls-Royce, BMWs
Abhijeet Dipke told presspersons, "Money works in elections and nothing else. Those who campaign in DU come in Rolls-Royces, which are worth crores of rupees.
By Sakshi
New Delhi, September 21: Cockroach Janta Party convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday evening said money power drives elections, referring to the recently held Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls.
Dipke alleged that campaigners travelled in luxury cars such as BMWs and Rolls-Royces, which, he said, reflected the influence of money in elections. Three of the four central panel seats at the polls were won by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Dipke told presspersons, "Money works in elections and nothing else. Those who campaign in DU come in Rolls-Royces, which are worth crores of rupees. They come in Audis, BMWs. So money works there."
On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the BJP-led government was promoting people with ideological affiliations, Dipke voiced similar concerns.
In the DUSU elections, the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) failed to secure any of the four central panel posts. ABVP won the president, secretary and joint secretary positions, while the vice-president’s post went to independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, a former NSUI rebel.
ABVP’s Yash Dabas won the president’s post, while Riya Chhawdi was elected secretary and Lakshya Raj Singh joint secretary. Shokeen defeated ABVP’s Ishu Maurya for the vice-president’s post.
Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor in Amravati
Referring to his recent visit to the Amravati region, Dipke alleged that Kumud Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya in Wardha, had an RSS ideological affiliation.
"Since she became VC, FIRs have been registered against more than 50 students," he claimed.
"When students protest for something, an FIR is registered against them. But when ABVP opposes something or locks any gate, no FIR is registered against them. Only Dalit and Adivasi (tribal) students who oppose the ideology are booked. It is a roadmap to make institutions (universities) a shakha of RSS," Dipke charged.
The CJP founder further claimed that students were losing faith in the education system.
MPSC Aspirants
Dipke said Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants had been demanding the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over allegations of corruption.
"The Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have been demanding the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar for many days and are agitating for it. The students have lost faith in the examination system. How can the students keep faith that exams will be conducted transparently until Bhimanwar resigns?" he asked.
Dipke said the CJP, along with MPSC aspirants, would soon launch an online campaign titled ‘Bhimanwar Rajinama Dya’ (Bhimanwar resign), in which students would explain who Bhimanwar is, what his "achievements" are, his alleged relationship with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and why they believe he should resign.
IIT Bombay Student’s Suicide
On the suicide of an IIT Bombay student last week, Dipke said the incident could not be justified simply because the student had allegedly been caught cheating.
The student was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room on Friday evening, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination, according to officials.
"The suicide incident at IIT Bombay is painful. This is a result of students losing faith in the education system. Children are dying in backward areas as well as big cities. They are committing suicide because they feel that no one is there to support them," Dipke claimed.
"Suicide cannot be justified if he is caught cheating. Did we ever hear of a minister committing suicide after being caught in corruption, or a businessman who looted a bank and fled? Mental health counselling is more important here. It was not such a grave mistake to warrant suicide," he said.
Tribal Schools
Speaking about his recent tour of Vidarbha, where he also visited tribal schools, Dipke alleged that students were not being provided adequate facilities.
"Ashram schools (residential schools) get a large amount of funds. Recently, three students died of snakebite in Gadchiroli, but beds are still not being provided to students, who continue to sleep on the ground. Girls had to bathe in the open, and there was no roof or doors in the boys’ bathroom. Are they animals?" he asked.
"If you cannot provide a dignified education, then for what reason are you sitting in power?" Dipke said, targeting the government.
He further said the ‘Adivasi School Thik Karo’ campaign would continue and expand nationwide.
"I have visited parts of Maharashtra and will also go to Gujarat, about which no one is asking me," he added.
On TMC Symbol Freeze
On the Election Commission’s decision to freeze the name and symbol of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dipke said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should join the ruling BJP, dissolve all Opposition parties and freeze their symbols.
"One party will contest, and one party will win elections," he quipped.
