Anti-nuclear activist S P Udayakumar and his supporters joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said there was no setback for the anti-Koodankulam plant protest and it would continue. Women, who are more talented than them, would be spearheading the struggle.
He said PMANE would soon begin the next phase of the struggle. “As it is difficult to get success in the struggle by protesting in the village, we have taken the decision to put forth our demands in the Parliament,” he said. Udayakumar said he had taken the decision to join AAP after consulting the people and community leaders concerned.
If Congress assumes power, it will set up more nuclear power plants. If the BJP captures power, it will crush our protest, Udayakumar observed.
As an alternative to both parties, we joined AAP, which is functioning with the right vision. The party had given clear answers to our five demands. He said he had talked with Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav and Bushan invited him to join the party. He pointed out that the party had declared its stand on nuclear reactors. The party was of the view that if any project was started, it should be started with approval from the local people.
The party said it would not support any project which does not get the support of local people. He also pointed out the party had given permission to use its name as Elia Makkal Katchi. Besides, it had decided to take the Eelam issue to the international stage.