Kumar, a founding member of AAP, rejects criticism that he is an ‘outsider’ in the area and says he is no stranger to the issues and problems in the constituency.
The 64-year-old professor of sociology says the movement for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill encouraged him to join hands with Arvind Kejriwal in 2011. ‘I was interested in entering the political contest as a follow-up of our call to all right thinking people to save the democratic institutions,’ he says.
Kumar, who had won the JNU elections in 1972 defeating current CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, says water scarcity, erratic electricity supply, poor healthcare facilities and educational infrastructure are some of the major issues facing the North East Delhi constituency. Asked why the people of North-east Delhi would vote for AAP, Kumar says they are yearning for change and are tired of assurances by both BJP and Congress. He also ridiculed BJP for fielding actor Tiwari who, he says, has no political background and lives in Mumbai.
Kumar’s topmost priority is to make North East Delhi catch up with rest of the city in terms of infrastructure development and other parameters. He says he will be coming out with a ‘micro-manifesto’ which will provide the details of his plan for the area. ‘North East Delhi district is the most neglected district of Delhi which is still asking for basic amenities like drinking water, electricity, proper sewage, colleges and security for all.
‘Then there is problem of so called unauthorised colonies and Lal Dora villages,’ he says.
The 64-year-old professor of sociology says the movement for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill encouraged him to join hands with Arvind Kejriwal in 2011. ‘I was interested in entering the political contest as a follow-up of our call to all right thinking people to save the democratic institutions,’ he says.
Kumar, who had won the JNU elections in 1972 defeating current CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, says water scarcity, erratic electricity supply, poor healthcare facilities and educational infrastructure are some of the major issues facing the North East Delhi constituency. Asked why the people of North-east Delhi would vote for AAP, Kumar says they are yearning for change and are tired of assurances by both BJP and Congress. He also ridiculed BJP for fielding actor Tiwari who, he says, has no political background and lives in Mumbai.
Kumar’s topmost priority is to make North East Delhi catch up with rest of the city in terms of infrastructure development and other parameters. He says he will be coming out with a ‘micro-manifesto’ which will provide the details of his plan for the area. ‘North East Delhi district is the most neglected district of Delhi which is still asking for basic amenities like drinking water, electricity, proper sewage, colleges and security for all.
‘Then there is problem of so called unauthorised colonies and Lal Dora villages,’ he says.