‘No AAP support to other party for forming govt’
5 Jan 2015 12:05 AM GMT
Saurabh Bhardwaj, former cabinet minister (transport, environment) in Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 49 days government, talks to SUNIL THAPLIYAL exclusively on how the party has come a long way in transforming itself politically. Bhardwaj was former cabinet minister (transport, environment) in Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party’s 49-day government.
How AAP has transformed as a political party over the years?
This is our third election within one year. We have fought two elections and had to suffer from identity crises. AAP had to work hard to establish itself as a political party. People were not aware about our party. They considered us part of the Anna movement. We had to convince them that we are a political party. However, now situation has changed. We are a established party and developed the structure of our party rapidly. Earlier, we were not fully aware about Delhi and its politics. Now we have gone through that phase and have become more mature as a political party. People can hate us, love us but they cannot ignore us any more now.
Don’t you think that AAP’s decision to quit from Delhi Government backfired in this election?
We cannot say this completely, but certainly this is one of the main factors for our defeat in last Lok Sabha election in Delhi. We could not make people understand why we quit from Delhi government and it may have cost us in Lok Sabha election. Winning and losing elections is a part of the game. We have made our presence in the national politics. But situation has changed for the last one month and we controlled the damage.
How your opponents’ perception has changed for you now as a political party compared to assembly election last year?
Earlier, BJP was not so harsh on us, but now they hate us. They mislead people against us, while Congress hardly paid attention to AAP and even did not recognise our presence in Delhi. Now, they have been struggling to show their presence in Delhi. We are competing with BJP in coming election and Congress is not in the race.
What will be your top poll agenda?
Electricity, water, women’s safety, public transport and corruption is our top agenda and Jan Lok Pal bill will be our top priority.
If once again any party in Delhi will not be able to get majority in coming election, will AAP give or take support to form the government?
Not at all. We will either form the government if we will get full majority or will sit in opposition if we don’t get clear mandate.
Next Story
