RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his role in facilitating a press conference for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. Jha clarified that he provided a recommendation letter that enabled the CJP to hold the event, but emphasized that he was not informed about the details of the gathering.
Jha's Explanation
Speaking to the media, Jha stated that he was approached with a request to organize an event, and he agreed to provide the necessary recommendation. According to the rules of the Constitution Club, a sitting Member of Parliament's recommendation is required for booking the venue. Jha noted that he routinely extends such support to journalists, academics, and civil society groups without delving into the specifics of their events.
“I was told that an event needed to be organized. I was not told any further details about the nature or content of the press conference,” Jha said. He rejected suggestions of any ulterior motive, pointing out that the contents of his recommendation letter clearly mentioned only a request for a press conference and nothing more.
No Comment on CJP Movement
The RJD leader declined to comment on the Cockroach Janta Party movement itself, stating that its ideology was unclear to him. He added that he had no prior knowledge of the group's activities or objectives. “I do not know what their ideology is, so I cannot comment on it,” he remarked.
Lessons Learned
Jha acknowledged that the episode has prompted him to be more cautious in the future. He said that he will now conduct proper inquiries before issuing recommendation letters to ensure that he is fully aware of the events he is endorsing. “This has been a learning experience. I will be more careful and verify the details before providing such support,” he concluded.
