AAP on Wednesday said it would contest the Lok Sabha elections, hinting that one of its leaders, Kumar Vishwas, would be entering into a direct contest against Rahul Gandhi. AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to all the ‘honest’ people from various political parties, including Congress and BJP, to join his party in the fight against corruption.
Addressing a public meeting at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday to mark the newborn party’s victory, Kejriwal, however, did not specify in how many states and seats AAP would contest the general elections. Kejriwal said they would need more funds to contest the LS polls and urged people to donate generously.
Manish Sisodia, who won from Patparganj assembly seat in Delhi, said party member Kumar Vishwas could contest Lok Sabha elections against Rahul Gandhi. He also said that they had not gathered at the venue to celebrate. ‘How can we celebrate till there is corruption in this country,’ Kejriwal said, adding, ‘This wasn’t Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia’s election. This was the people’s fight.’
Arvind Kejriwal said his party was ready for fresh elections, and chided the BJP for not forming a government despite being the largest party in the Delhi assembly. Kejriwal also said that AAP’s website would be opened for donations, which he said would be crucial. ‘We are prepared to fight the elections again,’ Kejriwal said. Kejriwal did not talk about the party’s plans for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls but many other AAP leaders referred to it.
Kejriwal said BJP and Congress should form a government as they had the numbers to notch up a majority in the Delhi assembly. ‘The BJP and Congress are two sides of the same coin... Both indulge in corruption and both indulge in communal politics. They have got seats and should jointly form a government.’
Apart from Kejriwal, the meeting at Jantar Mantar was attended by other party leaders including newly elected legislators. On social activist Anna Hazare’s fast in his native village to press for Jan Lokpal Bill, Kejriwal said, ‘We salute Anna Hazare’s movement and we are with him in his endeavour to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed.’
Addressing a public meeting at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday to mark the newborn party’s victory, Kejriwal, however, did not specify in how many states and seats AAP would contest the general elections. Kejriwal said they would need more funds to contest the LS polls and urged people to donate generously.
Manish Sisodia, who won from Patparganj assembly seat in Delhi, said party member Kumar Vishwas could contest Lok Sabha elections against Rahul Gandhi. He also said that they had not gathered at the venue to celebrate. ‘How can we celebrate till there is corruption in this country,’ Kejriwal said, adding, ‘This wasn’t Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia’s election. This was the people’s fight.’
Arvind Kejriwal said his party was ready for fresh elections, and chided the BJP for not forming a government despite being the largest party in the Delhi assembly. Kejriwal also said that AAP’s website would be opened for donations, which he said would be crucial. ‘We are prepared to fight the elections again,’ Kejriwal said. Kejriwal did not talk about the party’s plans for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls but many other AAP leaders referred to it.
Kejriwal said BJP and Congress should form a government as they had the numbers to notch up a majority in the Delhi assembly. ‘The BJP and Congress are two sides of the same coin... Both indulge in corruption and both indulge in communal politics. They have got seats and should jointly form a government.’
Apart from Kejriwal, the meeting at Jantar Mantar was attended by other party leaders including newly elected legislators. On social activist Anna Hazare’s fast in his native village to press for Jan Lokpal Bill, Kejriwal said, ‘We salute Anna Hazare’s movement and we are with him in his endeavour to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed.’