The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced that founder Abhijeet Dipke and activist Sonam Wangchuk will lead a June 6 protest in Delhi demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET and CBSE examination controversies. At the party’s first press conference, spokesperson Saurav Das said supporters would receive Dipke at the airport before seeking permission for a Jantar Mantar demonstration. The party invited youth nationwide to join without political banners and called recent CBSE leadership transfers an “eyewash.” Wangchuk pledged peaceful, Gandhian protest, while spokespersons Vijeta Dahiya and Ashutosh Ranka said the movement seeks accountability, democratic rights, and systemic education reforms. They expressed confidence authorities would permit the planned gathering peacefully.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held its first press conference in Delhi ahead of a planned June 6 protest demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in CBSE, NEET, and CUET examinations. Investigative journalist Saurav Das was named chief spokesperson, joined by political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka. Addressing the media, the spokespersons said the movement seeks accountability, examination integrity, and broader reforms affecting students and youth. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk extended support, saying he would join the protest if no action is taken by June 5. The party emphasised peaceful democratic mobilisation and institutional transparency.

In a dramatic escalation of the crisis within the All India Trinamool Congress, expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee was recognised as Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly after 60 MLAs submitted letters backing his claim. The move came despite his expulsion two days earlier over alleged anti-party activities. Ritabrata insisted that Mamata Banerjee remains the party's leader and denied any intention to split the TMC. The rebellion follows a forged-signatures controversy linked to rival LoP nominations, prompting a CID probe and political turmoil. The development marks the biggest internal challenge to the TMC leadership in recent years. (PC: India Today)

Expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee was on Wednesday appointed Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. He claimed the support of 58 out of 80 TMC MLAs and said two more legislators could join his camp soon. Banerjee said the Speaker had accepted the revised composition of the legislature party and approved his appointment. “We would request Mamata Banerjee to play the role of the chief adviser of the legislative party,” he said. The development comes amid a growing rift within the TMC. The party recently expelled Banerjee and another MLA over internal disputes.

A major political crisis deepened within the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday as expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee was recognised as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The Speaker accepted letters of support from 60 rebel TMC MLAs backing Ritabrata for the post.   Despite being expelled from the party two days ago, Ritabrata insisted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains their leader and said the rebel camp has no intention of splitting the party. He described the revolt as a fight against "individualism" and pledged to work under Mamata's leadership.   The development follows a forged signatures controversy over the opposition leader's post, prompting a CID investigation and further intensifying the TMC's internal turmoil.  

  The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday dissolved all its organisational committees in West Bengal and announced a complete review of the party structure amid an escalating internal crisis. The move came as 59 rebel MLAs reached the West Bengal Assembly to stake claim as the principal opposition group. The dissident camp, led by expelled MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandeepan Saha, claims support from more than two-thirds of the party's legislators. In a statement, the TMC said it would conduct an organisational assessment and reconstitute committees later. The development marks the biggest challenge yet to Mamata Banerjee's leadership. (PC: HT)

The crisis within the Trinamool Congress deepened after expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee claimed the support of 60 party legislators and proposed himself for the post of Leader of the Opposition. Along with expelled MLA Sandipan Saha, he submitted a letter backing Mamata Banerjee as the party's leader while challenging the current leadership structure. The rebel camp's strength exceeds the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law, potentially giving it leverage in any future split. The development puts Mamata Banerjee under pressure as she faces a growing challenge from within the party over the role of Abhishek Banerjee. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal's opposition party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), faced a major crisis on Wednesday after expelled MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha arrived at the Assembly claiming the support of 59 party legislators. The rebel camp is expected to submit a letter to the Speaker asserting that it has the backing of more than two-thirds of TMC's 80 MLAs.   If the claim is accepted, the group could avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law and potentially retain the party's name and symbol. Sources said Ritabrata Banerjee is being projected as the new Leader of the Opposition. The rebellion follows allegations that signatures of several MLAs were forged on a party resolution related to key Assembly posts. The development has deepened the crisis for TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, whose party was recently voted out of power in West Bengal. (PC: India Today)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement and said he would join its June 6 protest in Delhi if Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign by June 5. Wangchuk said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke convinced him the movement is patriotic and driven by concerns of Indian youth. While acknowledging issues such as NEET paper leaks and examination controversies, he argued the larger problem is the failure of long-term education reforms. He questioned whether current policies can achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047 and urged accountability, saying education ministers in self-respecting democracies resign after such failures. (PC: The Indian Express)

Former West Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday led a protest in central Kolkata against alleged attacks on party leaders and workers after the Assembly elections. Addressing supporters at Esplanade, Banerjee accused the BJP government of using “bulldozer politics” and trying to break the TMC through intimidation.   Vowing to continue the fight, she declared, “Ladenge ya marenge (Will fight or die).” The protest was also held over the alleged attack on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and the eviction of hawkers. Banerjee said opposition parties would soon meet in Delhi to decide their future course of action. (PC: HT)