Aam Aadmi Party former leader Yogendra Yadav has embarked on a nationwide Swaraj Abhiyan to create a political movement and strengthen alternative politics.
The psephologist-turned-politician, along with his party colleague Prashant Bhushan, has been going around states to open a dialogue with people from various walks of life through Swaraj Samvad on the need for a new model of democratic politics in the country. Ahead of his visit to Vijayawada on Wednesday (May 13), Mr. Yadav shared his views with The Hindu in a telephonic conversation on a gamut of issues that led to his expulsion from AAP and his future plans. Excerpts:
What is the aim of Swaraj Abhiyan?
Swaraj Abhiyan was launched on April 14 in Gurgaon at national-level which saw participation of over 4,000 volunteers and supporters. They all decided that this was not the time to float a new party and that there is a need to create a political movement first to strengthen alternative politics. Since then, we have been holding Swaraj Samvad in different states.
Where did things go wrong in AAP?
What happened is truly unfortunate. After AAP’s historic victory in Delhi polls, people pinned their hopes on the party. We wanted to expand the party to other regions. Meanwhile, we had also started raising questions about certain things in the internal meetings as we could see the party losing its moral stature. This is what irritated the party. Later, they cooked up charges against us saying we were harming the party interests. But the formal charge sheet, which is now in public domain, did not even have these allegations. It was a plastic case.
The AAP is reduced to a small coterie which runs in the most undemocratic way.
In the given circumstances, do you think it is possible to win people’s trust yet again?
Yes, these questions are bound to come up to anyone who launches alternative politics, especially after the AAP case. Our first challenge is to create a new model of democratic politics; a new organisation which is not personality-centred. Public response to the Swaraj Samvad is very encouraging and before June, we want to touch all states. Many volunteers and social activists are actually waiting for this kind of a thing to happen.
Do you foresee an exodus from AAP?
YY: Although it is already happening routinely, it is not our focus area. There is a lot of positive energy around. People are disillusioned and there is a danger that this energy may be frittered away. We want to utilise this energy for alternative politics. We also plan a nation-wide yatra on farmers’ issue in August-September.
At what point the gap between you and Arvind Kejriwal widen?
AAP had a nation-wide appeal but it was reduced to Delhi-centric regional party, with some interest in Punjab. Much of the energy outside Delhi was ignored.
Why did Mr. Kejriwal insist on Delhi-centric approach?
It could be his understanding. At least, we could have created autonomous units. But the party came to an understanding that it would confine to Delhi alone. Perhaps because of the fear that once the party expands, he (Kejriwal) would lose control.
Where does Andhra Pradesh State fit into your scheme of things?
When AAP was formed in 2012, I was the in-charge for South. I was stunned by the quality of people eager to back AAP. The movements here are very deep and the quality of reflection is very fine. A number of volunteers and social activists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are ready to join us.
