New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi party (common man’s party), led by bureaucrat-turned-activist Arvind kejriwal is gearing up for state-level polls in Delhi this year with an array of candidates chosen for their honesty. As the country braces itself for the general elections, one of the parties hoping to make a difference is the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party. Former police constables, retired army officials and social workers – the candidates have no political backgrounds and the party says winning is not the sole agenda.
Anyone can hope to be a election candidate for the party if they are endorsed by 100 potential voters from the constituency they hope to represent. Political analysts say that’s not too difficult but makes the process more transparent. Former Delhi Police constable Krishen Kumar Rathi is now AAP candidate from Mundka. Former NSG commando, Surender Singh, who fought terrorists in the Taj Operation during 26/11, is AAP candidate from the Delhi Cantonment area. With no big SUVs, no cavalcades, their campaigns are modest, largely focusing on people to people contact.
AAP declared its candidates much before other parties so that they can have more time to campaign as most of their leaders are first timers with no political backgrounds. Influenced by Anna Hazare’s campaign, Krishen Kumar Rathi took voluntary retirement to join the Jan Lokpal movement. Today he’s confident that his party will sweep the polls. “Candidates from Congress and BJP will use money and alcohol to woo voters,” Rathi said.
Commando Surender Singh was injured in the 26/11 attack and had to fight to get his pension and other benefits. Having won that fight, he is now out to win another battle. “I will throw out the corrupt within three months of coming to power,” he said. Whether that campaign pitch works or not is something that will be proved in the coming elections, but by giving a chance to candidates like Surender Singh, AAP is trying to show that politics is not only for those with big bank accounts and strong political connections.
They also want to inspire people from all walks of life to enter politics. Their style of politics and campaign is different from that of the Congress and the BJP. But will it impress the voter in this election? The jury is still out on that.
Bureau Report
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