The AAP strategy is to position itself as a common man’s party in the coming Lok Sabha elections. “We are going to take the Delhi experiment to other states," says AAP leader Sanjay Singh. “The Congress and the BJP?are following caste and communal politics. Our politics are conceived around basic issues concerning the common man.”
One thing has been made clear: that there is no room for criminals and the corrupt in the party. Also, the party would not follow the dynasty politics.
“The AAP constitution says no two persons from one family can either contest elections or hold any executive post,” says AAP leader Kumar Vishwas, who is all set to take on Congress scion Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
The six ministers in Delhi have been directed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to focus only on the promises that have been made in the manifesto. “We have fulfilled three promises. We will soon fulfil other promises as well,” Singh said. “If we deliver on time, it will repose people's faith in the new party.”
The AAP leadership insists the party is just implementing its manifesto. “We do not want to cheat people. The political parties are scared because they had never imagined we could deliver on our promises just within 48 hours,” Sanjay Singh told this newspaper.
Singh said his party’s main agenda was to clean the corrupt political class. “With our brilliant performance in the Delhi elections, the political parties are now bothered about their future. That’s why they are twisting facts.”
The criticism, however, is quick in coming. How many would benefit from the 667 litres free water that the AAP announced? BJP leader Harsh Vardhan pointed out there were just about 8.5 lakh metered water connections; half of them were not functioning properly. “The first thing Kejriwal should have done was to ensure drinking water for those living in jhuggi clusters and unauthorised colonies.” He should have waived the 10 per cent additional amount which Delhiites would be paying from January 1.”
The second was the 50 per cent subsidy to households which were consuming electricity up to 400 units a month. Kejriwal said the subsidy would benefit 28 lakh households. This pinched more. Dr Harsh Vardhan said:?“This is a mere eye wash. He is just using tax payers money to gain popularity."
The Congress reaction was measured. “They have been able to give subsidies because we have extended support," Congress legislator Jai Kishan said. But Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Arvinder Singh Lovely advised Kejriwal not to take any decision in haste. “Please discuss things before making major announcements,” he said.
A senior local leader said the AAP was no different from the Congress and the BJP. “These parties have been giving subsidies to keep their vote banks intact. Now, Kejriwal has joined their bandwagon just because his party plans to contest the Lok Sabha elections.”
Common Agenda
The 17-point agenda of the AAP government, presented in Delhi assembly
1 The VIP culture should be stopped in Delhi. No MLA, minister or Delhi official will use a red beacon on their cars. Neither will they live in bungalows nor take any special security.
2 Passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill, the same version for which Anna Hazare held fasts.
3 People will take decision directly in ‘mohalla sabhas’, which will be held in every locality and colony.
4 Action against government officers responsible for delay in work.
5 A special audit of all electricity companies in the national capital from the time these were privatised.
6 Electricity meters should be checked.
7 New water pipelines will be laid.
8 AAP wants unauthorised colonies should be regularised.
9 To give clean and affordable ‘pukka houses’ (built up houses) to those living in slums.
10 To give regular jobs to those working on contractual basis.
11 Infrastructural facilities like roads, electricity, water and basic facilities to the ordinary trader.
12 AAP said it is against FDI in retail.
13 The party wants to provide facilities and subsidies to farmers.
14 Opening 500 government schools, stopping donations in private schools and making the fee system transparent.
15 The party wants to open new government hospitals with better facilities.
16 Special security units for women and all harassment cases to be tackled in three months.
17 To set up enough courts and appoint judges so that all cases are dealt with in six months.
