NewsKarnataka -Mangalore
By : Alfi D’Cruz
Mangalore, April 13: “The Aam Aadmi Party is here as an alternative to existing parties and to change the political scenario of the country,” declared Yogendra Yadav, the architect of AAP and the party’s candidate from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency.
Yadav was in the city on Sunday April 13 as a part of AAP election campaign. Addressing a press meet at AAP district office here, he said, “I am in my favourite part of the country which is not only endowed with natural beauty but also celebrates diversity. We are here to change the nature of politics. We get this opportunity for bringing about a systematic change only once in five years. AAP is here to provide an alternative in governance and bring a change in the kind of politics we see today. That is systematic change.”
While trying to echo the sentiments of the people and highlighting the corrupt side of both the Congress and the BJP which have been involved in various scams, he said that the country needs an alternative ; a movement against corruption including political corruption. “Therefore AAP is the solution to the current political crisis because the focus of this party is to restore the power to the people,” he claimed.
“Fight against Modi is not symbolic”: Replying to queries from scribes at the press meet, Yadav clearly mentioned that the fight against BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi in Varanasi is not symbolic but with a purpose to defeat Modi. “AAP wants to be the party which influences the agenda of other parties,”Yadav said. Although AAP is entering the election for the first time, Yadav does not believe in miracle but pins high hopes on the party’s poll prospects. At the same time, he says he derives inspiration from the Party’s National Convenor and rallying force Arvind Kejriwal.”We want India to be a multi-polar universe and achieve growth,” said Yadav.
When Newskarnataka drew Yadav’s attention towards the repeated attacks on AAP members in various parts of the nation, he said “AAP members are unlike others, they have no bodyguard or security and all the more they are often manipulated by media; they are regularly seen as soft targets.”
To another question from this correspondent on the AAP’s prospects ten years from now, Yadav clearly said that he foresees AAP as a clear alternative and centre of Indian politics with its primary policies being political decentralization and Jan Lokpal legislation.”
During the public gathering at Town Hall in Mangalore later in the day, Yadav in his speech criticized both the BJP and Congress parties for hampering the growth of the nation. He said “This country is the land of Gandhi and Bhagat and not of Rahul and Modi. Election comes once in every five years, but this is the time to save and build India. The common man is sore with both the Congress and BJP which have done nothing for the betterment of the common man. Congress has already accepted its fate and is moving away from the battle ground.”
Yadav also lashed out at Union Minister Moily for favouring Ambani. “The bringing back Yeddyurappa into BJP shows the extent of interest which Modi has in rooting out corruption. Also the amount spent on election campaigns shows the level of corruption in our country,” he said.
Dakshina Kannada AAP candidate M.R. Vasudeva who also addressed the gathering, said that it is the best time to fight against corruption. Unlike other parties in AAP people can raise their voice; no matter who they are. “Everyone can be the part of this joint venture to eradicate corruption,” he declared.
