Aam Aadmi gaining force in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which had got off to  a slow start in the state prior to the Delhi Assembly elections, is now seeing many prominent people making a beeline for it.

Poets, technocrats, IT professionals, former Communists, members of dalit and adivasi outfits, fisherfolk and NGOs are all warming up to AAP, which they see as a credible  alternative to the UDF and LDF.

The Adivasi Gotra Mahasabha is in fact meeting in Kottayam on Tuesday to take a decision on joining AAP. Its representative, M Geetanandan says,  “We support the  movement as we feel many of the problems of dalits and adivasis are a result of corruption.’’

Many other social segments, which are unhappy with the two fronts are also gravitating to the AAP . The announcement by National Movement of People's Alliance (NAPM) leader, Medha Patkar in Mumbai on Monday that she was joining the party is likely to influence many organisations she has worked  closely with to endorse it as well .

With Trivandrum Archbishop M Soosa Pakiyam too speaking in favour of AAP on Sunday, the party is clearly gaining in support by leaps and bounds.  Its membership is nearing the 50,000 mark and with prominent people like Sarah Joseph joining its ranks, its appeal seems to be cutting across all segments. Making the most of the trend,  AAP is strengthening its district units and shortlisting  dedicated volunteers in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The mainstream political parties like the Congress and CPM , whch are watching the developments closely  are putting on a brave face in public, claiming it is unlikely to affect them.
CPM politburo member, M A Baby says AAP may be taking on issues like the price rise but it is conveniently ignoring factors like the Centre’s neo liberal policies.

Writer Anandi Ramachandran and poet OV Usha during the AAP candle light protest 

As for AAP’s style of functioning, he says its nothing new. “They are ony emulating what we have been doing for decades,’’ he claims, adding that  the CPM cannot be targeted on corruption. “After the CBI special court exonerated Pinarayi Viayan in the SNC Lavalin case, the CPM’s image as an incorruptible party has only become stronger,’’ he contends.

However, pointing to the exodus of Left intellectuals from the LDF, the Congress says the AAP is more a  threat to it than to its own fortunes in the polls. “Only those with Left leanings  who are disappointed with the degeneration of the CPM, are joining it,’’ says KPCC vice president, M M Hassan.

Claiming the AAP movement is mainly backed by people who are apolitical, idealistic and active on social networking sites, he asserts the AAP will not be able to attract Congress workers.
“We too work at the grassroots. Our Janasree programme is helping the poorest of the poor. So we are not cut off from the masses,’’ he maintains.

The BJP, which failed to come to power in Delhi owing to the AAP factor, feels the new outfit will take away some of the anti- Congress votes from the LDF kitty. “The CPM will suffer a major setback if leaders like V S Achuthanandan decide to part ways with it,’’ notes  BJP state general secretary K Surendran, contending it will have  little effect on the  BJP which  is a cadre based  political outfit with a strong ideology.

Next: Activists to personally visit, hear opinions from people

Activists to personally visit, hear opinions from people

Hiran Unnikrishnan | DC

Thrissur: They are  not the kind of people you expect to come to your doorstep campaigning for a political outfit. But soon Keralites could have a young techie or evem an investment banker approaching their doors, wearing the 'I am Aam Aadmi' cap, to seek their opinion on some key social issue.

Beginning  a series of campaigns to make inroads into  Kerala,  around 500 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers drawn from different walks of life will soon embark on a public survey to identify social and civic problems in Kathikkudam, Thrissur. The 20 day survey which kicks off on January 15 will focus on the environmental, social and health concerns of people living in the region.

“We will  approach around 30,000 families spread across 96 wards in seven gram panchayats to collect their views on various issues affecting them,” explains Sunil George, state treasurer, AAP.

The questionnaire, prepared in consultation with experts, will  also record the response of the administration to the issues raised. "The party is giving priority to the pollution of the Chalakkudy river in Kathikkudam  as it directly affects about 1.25 lakh people living on both sides,’’ George adds.

Party workers distributing sweets among school children after their historic win in Delhi elections. 

The survey results will be compiled and published into an observation report, which the AAP will use to form its stance. The party is looking at several region specific issues for this campaign. “The problem of waste disposal in Thiruvanathapuram is one such issue,’’ says KP Ratheesh, spokesperson, AAP. The party  plans to come out with a similar strategy on the price of petrol and diesel in all the district headquarters from February 2 onwards.

Next: Our ideologies similar: C.K. Janu

Our ideologies similar: C.K. Janu

Kozhikode: Prominent tribal activist and leader of Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha CK Janu, and her mentor social activist M Geethanandan have decided to join the Aam Admi Party (AAP). Prominent pro-left writer N Prabhakaran also has decided to join AAP, it is learned.

Janu told Deccan Chronicle that the ideology of her organization and AAP were almost similar. “I feel that with better political backing I will be able to pursue my struggle for justice for the alienated communities in a better way”, she added.

It can be recalled that Janu was instrumental in bringing focus on the agitation of landless tribals in Wayanad  district in 2003. Geethanandan was the mastermind of the agitation and since then the duo has been involved in launching various forums at the state-level to coordinate the agitations of dalit and tribal communities.

N Prabhakaran, a known leftist intellectual was the darling of the CPM in the past. But in the post-TP murder period he kept off from party affairs. Prabhakaran is the winner of the literary award of the Kerala Sahithya Academy.