When 38-year-old Poonam Rai’s name was announced as the candidate from Jharoda for Yogendra Yadav’s newly-formed political party Swaraj India, she had no idea that half her energy during campaigning would go in convincing people that she no longer represented the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Candidates list
Swaraj India released its first list of candidates on February 22 and the door-to-door campaigning started soon after.
Ms. Rai was an active AAP member till a few years ago but walked out of the party when it split in 2015.
“Initially when I used to go for door-to-door campaigns, I would have to hear abuses on behalf of the AAP. My first round of campaigns went in convincing people that I am no longer associated with the party and represent the Swaraj India party now,” Ms. Rai said.
She said she was among the first few members to be associated with Arvind Kejriwal’s party when it was formed. At first, she used to attend official calls at Mr. Kejriwal’s office and then started taking care of other administrative work.
“I would’ve never been able to forgive myself if I hadn’t quit the AAP after the split. My conscience didn’t allow me to stay with a party that didn’t have the courage to stand for what was right,” she said.
Many like Ms. Rai are now in the process of disassociating themselves from their old identities as AAP workers.
‘Hollow promises’
“Mr. Kejriwal came in with a promise of change, but it was like a bubble that blew up and burst quickly. People have understood that their promises were as hollow as that of the BJP or the Congress. In our constituency at least, people have welcomed Swaraj India as an alternative to the filthy politics that has engulfed Delhi,” said Dimple Solanki, the candidate from Matiala constituency. The former AAP member was closely associated with the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement.
Residents of south-west Delhi’s Palam said they’re not afraid to experiment with the promise that the new party is bringing to the table.
“We’ve tried the BJP, Congress and even AAP. Why not give Swaraj India a chance? The situation won’t get any worse than it already is. I think they deserve a chance,” said Bhim Singh Alhuvalia, a resident of Mahavir Enclave in Palam. The party has, time and again, stressed that it’s not just a ‘splinter group’ of the AAP.
