Now AAP does what CPM used to sermonise once

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat may have claimed in the party mouthpiece People’s Democracy that Aam Aadmi Party was following the communist style, but what he swept under the carpet was his party’s deviation from such values.

It’s no secret that there has been marked erosion in the style of functioning in the CPM.

Clean image, incorruptibility, denial of perks, privileges of power, funding based on people’s contributions which are now being practised by the AAP, were once the hallmark of the Left. Just two months ago Karat made a fervent appeal to partymen to shed their arrogance.

The CPM bucket collection, which he hailed, is just one side of the story. The role of big business and shady characters allegedly funding the party has grown. 

Controversial businessman V.M. Radhakrishnan’s advertisement in Deshabhimani, sale of its prime property to his alleged benami and Santiago Martin bonds were recent instances of decadence in the party.

Historian K.N. Panikkar says a section which believes that both the UDF and the LDF are corrupt could support an alternative which claims to be non-corrupt. “Kejriwal managed to exploit the middle class sentiments against corruption,’’ he said. But the AAP campaign of down-to-earth style may not appeal here as most leaders don’t lead an extravagant life and they are part of the common milieu.

“The AAP can become a corrective force. It attracted people in big metros, but that is unlikely in a highly polarised polity with cadre-based organisations,’’ said rights activist Civic Chandran.

While a section of the CPM is looking for a tie-up with the AAP, Prashant Bhushan during his recent visit here had clarified that only leaders like V.S. Achuthanandan were welcome but not the CPM as corruption had seeped into its ranks. 

Political observers don’t rule out possibility of  AAP making stunning inroads into the UDF and LDF pockets.

Clearly, there is some reason for the CPM to worry about.

Next: AAP gets support from ‘Art of living’

AAP gets support from ‘Art of living’

Sham Mohammed | DC

Kollam: People from all walks of life, including the spiritual, are flocking to the  Aam Aadmi Party proving its increasing popularity.

Some 200 members of  the ‘Art of Living’ movement of Sri Sri Ravishankar here have joined the party in the last two weeks. 

"Guruji has supported those who are against corruption irrespective of their politics. He also supports Anna Hazare, whose ideologies are similar to that of the AAP,” said B. Sudhakaran Pillai,  former professor and a master of meditation of  the Art of Living movement.

The  ideology propagated by the AAP is the power of the people. According to it,  “we will select an MLA, and we, the Aam Aadmi, should have the power to call him back. The followers should be strong enough to make their leader obey, instead of obeying him.”

Those joining the AAP Kerala with a membership fee of Rs 10 will be given a  translation of a book ‘Swaraj’ authored by Aravind Kejriwal  along with the ‘AAP cap’ which has  the writing,  “I am a common man” and  the picture of its symbol ‘broom.’ 

“The Delhi election result has created this membership boom. Around 2,000 people have joined AAP in Kollam alone, with four units and a district unit. Presently, we work as temporary ad hoc committees and would be supervised by the national committee,” said P. Pradeep, AAP Kollam convener.

The number of followers on the Facebook page of AAP Kerala has crossed 2,00,275.mrs