Social activist Arvind Kejriwal announced the formation of a political party on Saturday. This announcement comes 18 months after he and social activist Anna Hazare initiated a movement to demand formation of a Lokpal. But Hazare has not chosen to be part of Kejriwal’s political endeavour.
“The name of the party is aam aadmi party (AAP),” said Kejriwal. The social activist-turned-politician remained noncommittal about the party contesting elections in near future, but hinted that the party might test electoral waters in state and municipal level elections in the national capital.
Kejriwal claimed that for the past one-and-a-half years that they demanded the formation of Lokpal by writing letters and fasting, but realised that the Congress and UPA had only betrayed them. “Anna sat on fast three times, and I fasted on one occasion. We realised that all parties are together on the issue of corruption, all parties are corrupt and hence if one party is exposed, the other protects it. Aam Aadmi Party will challenge this corrupt caucus,” said Kejriwal.
Kejriwal said that a meeting of AAP was held on Saturday in which 300 people of the national council were present; 23 people were elected to the national executive, which can consist of up to 30 members.
- Sunday Standard