The newly formed Swaraj India is ready to fight the Municipal Corporation elections in Delhi. However, party president Yogendra Yadav told Siddhanta Mishra that there is no question of merger with the AAP, as they have deviated from the principle politics. Yadav’s party is contesting in all the 272 wards in Delhi. Excerpts:
Why should people vote for Swaraj India?
Swaraj India has the most credible blueprint for a clean Delhi. Our manifesto has focused on three aspects—garbage-free Delhi, Dengue-free Delhi and pollution-free Delhi. No other party is focusing on these issues.
Any chance of going back to the AAP?
This question should be asked to the AAP leadership. Ask them if they have any plans of coming back to the ‘principle politics’ they have deviated from. Swaraj India is doing exactly what we decided five years ago at Ram Lila Maidan. The AAP leadership is actively self-destructing the party. Before the BJP can murder AAP, the leadership will commit suicide. As an outsider it is tragic to see what is happening in AAP.
The members of Swaraj India have no experience of governance. How will you run the MCD?
Being a new party has its advantages and disadvantages. While lack of experience is a disadvantage, fresh ideas and out of the box thinking will work in our advantage. And look what the so-called experienced parties have done to the MCD.
Are you talking about the 10 years of BJP rule in MCD?
BJP workers can’t look straight in the eyes of voters and say that ‘Delhi is a clean city’. People are disgruntled by the BJP, disillusioned by the Aam Aadmi Party and they don’t want to go back to the Congress. BJP has no moral right to ask for votes.
After the Uttar Pradesh poll success, will the Modi magic work in MCD elections as well?
These are local body polls where the issues of the city are not considered. While campaigning I had the opportunity to visit each and every corner of the city and I found piles of garbage, polluted air and stinking water. The local BJP leadership is not addressing these problems. BJP leaders are banking on Modi magic but playing the card will not work always.
Your party does not have any star campaigners. And do you think there is any chance of Congress’ revival?
Star campaigners have zero affect on the ground. Five years ago senior Congress leaders such as P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh were the talk of the town. But there is no impact of the leaders on the ground level.