While the Aam Aadmi Party may not have alliance with any political party in 2014 polls, it is mobilizing movement groups across the country. This week, the party held a meeting of grassroot activists from across the country at the national capital to initiate the process.
“The meeting that was held in Delhi had a select number of people who are active in different parts of the country and not associated with any political parties,” said a party source.
In this meeting, about 10 states, including southern ones, were represented. The meeting was addressed by AAP leaders including Yogendra Yadav. Yadav toured different parts of the country to hold talks with movement leaders, intellectuals and grassroot activists.
As far as the AAP aligning with any political party is concerned, the party leadership is convinced that this is not going to work. The party may not have alliance with any party including those who are different in character and have clear ideology. A senior party leader told Deccan Herald that there is no likelihood of even going with the Left parties.
“The party has reached to the understanding that if grassroot activists join the AAP, they would not be required to abandon the work they are doing now. They can continue to work with the movement or voluntary groups they are attached to,” Sanjiv Sane, a senior AAP leader from Maharashtra, told Deccan Herald.
“We are also approaching individuals for becoming our candidates in coming Lok Sabha polls. The overall response is good,” he asserted.
Eminent journalist Kuldip Nayar has suggested that the AAP should invite eminent rights activists such as Medha Patkar and Aruna Roy to their platform. Joining an electoral platform is the logical extension of their movements, he believes. He is suggesting that instead of creating pressure on political parties, they should themselves be able to make laws in Parliament.
According to the party sources, the party will approach Roy and Patkar. However, there seems to be a remote possibility of their joining the AAP. Most of them have been rejecting such ideas.
