‘They are not saints…’: Wangchuk says CJP founders have political ambitions, insists there’s nothing wrong with it | India News - Hindustan Times

**Sonam Wangchuk says CJP founders have political ambitions, not saintly motives**

New Delhi – Veteran engineer, education reformer and political activist Sonam Wangchuk told reporters on Tuesday that the founders of the newly formed political platform Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) – Dipankar “Dipke” Sharma, Amit Das and Rakesh Ranka – are “not saints” but ordinary citizens with clear political aspirations. Speaking at a press conference organised by the CJP, Wangchuk stressed that having ambitions for public office is “nothing wrong” and can be a healthy sign of a maturing democratic movement. “When people step out of civil society to contest elections, it is a sign that they believe they can make a difference inside the system, not because they are infallible,” he said, adding that the criticism of the trio’s motives stems from a “cult of personality” that often surrounds new reformist groups.

Wangchuk’s remarks came amid renewed scrutiny of CJP’s activities, particularly its recent “cockroach hunger strike” – a symbolic fast that captured headlines in *The Guardian* and drew attention to the perceived apathy of India’s political class. According to a report by India TV News, the CJP leadership reportedly approached senior opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss ending the fast, an outreach that Gandhi’s office declined. Critics have accused the CJP of borrowing tactics from former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s anti‑corruption campaigns, a claim highlighted by *newsdrum.in*, which described the movement as “Kejriwal’s old playbook making an Anna Hazare out of Sonam Wangchuk.” Wangchuk, however, dismissed the comparison, asserting that CJP’s agenda is rooted in grassroots issues such as water scarcity, education reforms, and transparent governance, rather than a replication of past political scripts.

The comments have sparked a mixed reaction across the political spectrum. While some members of the opposition welcomed Wangchuk’s candidness as a “refreshing honesty” that could bridge the gap between activism and electoral politics, certain factions within the ruling party warned that turning civil‑society leaders into electoral candidates could blur the lines between advocacy and partisanship. As India heads toward a crucial phase of state elections, the CJP’s next moves – whether it will field candidates, form alliances, or continue its protest strategies – remain under close observation, with analysts noting that the group’s willingness to openly acknowledge its political ambitions may set a new tone for activist‑politician dynamics in the country.