AAP Ke Volunteers

Author : Vansh Saluja, New Delhi

Some call them anarchists, some escapists, some opportunists and some maniacs but in true sense these people are the stupid common men wanting to clean their homes- as the famous line from the movie 'A Wednesday' goes. Led by their leader, a frail man wearing a loose checked shirt, the Aam Aadmi Party definitely has something to offer to the disenchanted voters. The volunteers always form the back-bone of an organization, be it a political party or an NGO. And this party has them in plenty. Ranging from vegetable vendors to Chartered Accountants, the party flaunts a strong volunteer force within less than year of its formation.

Who are these volunteers? Who coaxed them to join a political party? The answer lies on the topis they wear. They are the aam aadmi, people who had never imagined in their life that they would be working for a party, not for political power but to bring about a systematic change. "I wasn’t forced by anyone to join AAP, I made my own choice. I joined so that all the good people can come together to put an end to this slavery" says Amit, an active AAP volunteer. Why is that people perceived volunteers and workers from Congress-BJP to be goons and thieves but people from AAP to be 'good'? Why is that people try to avoid a crowd of rowdy party workers of Congress-BJP but try to be a part of a crowd of 'selfless' AAP workers? These assumptions are not without facts. Be it the signature campaigns, cleanliness drives or candlelight vigils organized by AAP, locals have always been willing to join the workers sporting the 'main aam aadmi hoon' topi than the workers of some other party.

A unique feature that separates them from other parties is that they use the national flag which arouses a feeling of nationalism among people. It is a constant reminder of the fact that their loyalty lies with the nation and not with the party. Who wouldn't want to be part of the crowd which waves the national flag than a party flag? The selfless work which they do counters the claim of 'some' who say that they are opportunists or maniacs. When the 5-year old girl was brutally raped in the capital, it was the AAP who went to her rescue not to score cheap political points but because the victim's family contacted them. If it would have been for Congress or BJP, they would have first assessed the political 'benefit' they would get by raising the issue. The very fact that the victim's family contacted the AAP by "looking at a poster stuck on a wall" and the party responding swiftly shows the stark difference between the approachability of the so-called party of 'anarchists' and the party of so-called democrats and secularists.

It does not stop here. There's an instance of 'good work' done by AAP workers almost everyday. Then be it getting an FIR registered for an illiterate or collecting food grains for those affected by Maharashtra drought. The Aam Aadmi Party is doing full justice to what its leader says, "Changing the rules of the game". The conventional parties may not be worrying with this new kind of politics but AAP is surely making them uncomfortable. They have never experienced this kind politics in their long political career. For them it has always been about getting the numbers and making passionate speeches. Be it the AAP leaders or workers, it never seems like they are politicians or are in politics. All with humble dwellings and simple life, they all are the true personification of RK Laxman's 'Common Man'. Although more of an angry common man agitated by the problems it faces. The problems are common to all but raising voice against it is uncommon.

' I've always been skeptical of the politicians but initiatives undertaken by the Aam Aadmi Party pump in some fresh air and a ray of hope that someday India will change, and the change will be brought out by people among us' says Rohan Singh, a Delhi-based student. If I'm allowed to tweak Dushyant Kumar's poem which they often recite- 'sirf hungama khada karna unka maksad nahi, unki koshish hai ki yeh soorat badalni chahiye'. It has boiled down to the fight between good and the bad, which side are you on?

What #AAP has to offer

Introduction

There have been numerous debates in Social Media and elsewhere on what exactly Aam Aadmi Party has to offer to Indians which other political parties have not. I have successfully replied and convinced most; however with time it has become clear that it is better to jot everything down to have one spot to clear any doubts.

Some people think that Aam Aadmi Party is just another political party, or it exists just for the sake of opposing the current establishment. A friend said that AAP exists as a negation to an existing negative. Partially true. Partially false. Here, I would describe in detail why AAP is very very significant to India. 

I would NOT be talking about a strong Lokpal, Right to Reject and Right to Recall here, as it is obvious by now.

Money:

Let us accept first thing first. Political parties are funded heavily by certain corporates and wealthy who want the political parties to work just for them when they come to power. Also, political parties lift money from not so clean places, which they have to return later (usually with heavy interest). The seed money for most political parties is black and after a party comes to power, it has no choice but to do as their investors order it to.

This leads to a huge conflict of interest and huge pressure on political parties to make money - by hook or crook. The party in power is left with no choice but to indulge in corrupt practices to make this money. This trickles down to government offices as well. 

Election funding is the major cause of corruption in India.

However Aam Aadmi Party is going to escape this in a very simple way. It will NOT accept black money. And it will NOT take money from corporate honchos. All the donations above 50,000 will have to come with a PAN card. And all the donations details will necessarily be posted online. A businessman wanted to make a donation in crores to AAP, but didn't want his name to be published online. AAP has declined his offer.  

Although this means lesser fund gets raised, this also certainly means the AAP would not have corrupt investors to answer to when it comes to power.

You can donate online right now at http://donate.aamaadmiparty.org/ and your name will be published within 10 minutes. Even if you donate 1 Rs! Try it!!

 

Candidate Selection:

Ask any Indian on what is the first criteria of any person to be successful in conventional political parties and you would get the answer - Power. It is quite understood that goons and power players rise in politics. It just doesn't matter what their qualification is or what good have they (not) done for the society. Just because he is a local goon and no one dares oppose him, he ends up winning elections. Of course there are few IITians in politics - like Manohar Parrikar or Jairam Naresh, but they are more of an exception than a norm.

Also, tickets are given depending upon the loyalty or closeness to higher leadership. No one cares about the voice of the people that candidate is going to represent. This not only leads to resentment, it also creates a disconnect between the people and the MLAs. The MLA/MP, because he got the ticket due to top management, stays loyal to high command, rather than to the people he is representing. This is not done in a democracy. We need leaders, no sycophants.

The way AAP is going to give tickets is truly unique in India. Anyone can apply for the ticket, provided he has written support from 100 people from the area. This is double checked as well! Then shortlisting is done in a phased manner. This process is ensuring that not only clean people get the tickets, they also are popular in the local constituency. It is a WIN WIN as there is no room left for resentment.

No VIPs/VVIPs

The concept of "Very Important Person" or "Very Very Important Person" is coming from the ages of Kings, when there were Kinds, Queens, Princesses etc. Roads are blocked, jams are created for the sake of a few. The Red Beacons on the Car, etc creates a divide between the people and their representatives. Of course there are few exceptions like Manohar Parrikar who travel economy, but again not a norm. 

All the AAP candidates will have to undertake an oath that they would not live a VIP life after becoming MP/MLA. No red beacons, no huge bunglows, no extra security, no nothing extra. They would continue to live as a common man of India. People who are connected to ground would be loved by others so security risk would be lesser.

No More Government Schemes

Government schemes are the biggest money suckers. As per Rajiv Gandhi himself, 85% of money in government schemes are siphoned off. Apart from losing money, there are other issues. India is a huge country with dialect changing every 50 KMs. Having a pan-India scheme is the easiest way for you to waste money. Something applicable for Nashik won't even apply in Mumbai, forget Chennai!

Instead of these schemes, AAP would be sending the money directly to the RWAs or Gram Sabhas. Now this is where decentralization comes into picture. The local body, compromising of ALL the citizens of the area will now take the decision on how to spend this money. Quite like how modern societies function, and how they spend money collected through maintenance charges.

So the Gram Sabha in Rajasthan will decide to use the money to dig a well, whereas a Gram Sabha near Kosi river in Bihar might decide to build dams to stop floods. Most of these problems will not be even known to the IAS over there, or the Secretary sitting in Delhi, not that it is their fault.

Also, with citizens using the money of their own taxes, and everyone involved in the process of decison making, the chances of corruption would hit zero. Even if 1000 members of Gram Sabha decide to just distribute that money, it would be same as citizens taking their taxes back. Of course if something wrong happens in that place tomorrow, they would not be able to point to the system, as they themselves are the system now.

Trusting Indians

This is actually in the continuation of the last topic. We need a system which trusts and empowers the common man. If we love India, it means we love Indians. That means we have to let the common man of India run the country. With now 'You' deciding 'Your' future, you would be cautious and won't be corrupt. This mechanism is important.

A point to make here. Only the local decisions will be allowed to the local people. There would be many policies which only state and center would be making. Defense and Foreign policies included.

Town Hall Meetings / Jan Sabhas:

Every month/week a Jan Sabha, on the model of Town Hall meets, would be organized by the AAP MLA/MP where all citizens in the area would be invited to discuss local issues.

Binny is an AAP member and he had this Mohalla Sabha. Do watch:

 

The section for Cynics and Doubtfuls

There are certain lies and propaganda being spread about AAP, so I would clear them one by one. 

The allegations against Mayank Gandhi has anyways been cleared by the Internal Lokpal, so I would not go in them, unless you doubt the integrity of an Admiral. But to read the final report. If you still find someone accusing Mayank of corruption, request him to file an FIR.

Kashmir:

The policy of Aam Aadmi Party is exactly what most of the common men of India think - Kashmir IS the Integral part of India. Listen AAP leader Arvind say here explicitly:

Naxalism:

Aam Aadmi Party stands against the Naxalism. Let us not forget that by definition Naxalism is violent. Here is the link to the press release against Naxal attack.

AAP is against Hinduism:

Just this picture is enough to destroy this allegation:

 

AAP is Ultra Left:

1. AAP seeks solutions, and is not a slave of any ideology:

2. Do read the Arvind's address at Wharton here.

3. Plus, Meena Sanyal, Ex Country head of RBS recently joined extended her support to AAP.

 

Foreign Funding of AAP (actually IAC):

1. Kejriwal & NGO received foreign funding from Ford Foundation in 2005 and 2008, not any more, much before when the JLP movement started. From where he is wrong now? Read source
    
2. 
   
3. Delhi HC issues clean chit to Team Anna on funding issues.

Anna doesn't support Aam Aadmi Party:

Please see this and judge yourself!

Jindal funded IAC:

Yes,  Jindal did fund IAC. But not the Jindal from steel industry. Check this clarification from Mayank Gandhi:

IAC had recd donation from Sitaram Jindal of Jindal naturopathy farm, Bangalore. Nothing to do with the Jindals of Coalgate
— Mayank Gandhi (@mayankgandhi04) June 11, 2013

However, the opponents of AAP would stoop down to any level to make a baseless allegation! In case they show the handshake of Arvind Kejriwal and Jindal (in a CNN-IBN award function, in which pic even Rathod, the Olympics silver medalist is present), please ask them about this pic:

What does this Handshake mean?

Shocking Public Opinion (online) on Karma's Inhuman Murder

I was surfing through the news of  Women Maoists stabbed Congress leader Mahendra Karma 78 times expecting that most popular comments would the ones which are totally opposed to what happened. I am a supporter of AAP, and I am totally against this mindless violence. To me, violence is not an incident but another turn of the circle of hatred. One violent incident would lead to another, and to another and so on ... till some shockingly high blood-bath happens.

My condolences to the Karma. I don't know him well, but I do not support his murder (which was actually a long painful slaughter).While going through the most liked comments, I was shocked to see this comment there:

A highly popular comment from Times of India forum

I will re-write the comment here:A beast has died a fitting end. People who have never heard of Salwa Judum and the atrocities of Salwa Judum are asking what did this guy do wrong to meet such an end. Well this guy was a mass murderer. He was on Maoist hitlist for over 6 years. In India the media is so much state controlled that the truth hardly reaches the people. When it comes to filtering and altering information and misguiding her own people India is at par with China. Be it Kashmir or Assam or Punjab or Naxal hit areas Indian government always takes up the role of the lamb, the innocent, the victim, the trampled. Go and see how Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha has been ravaged by Indian forces, how the peple of these places have liquidated villages after vilages, driven the poor inhabitants of these villages, how their children have been killed, how their women have been raped. These people who have nowhere to go are your compatriots, your brothers and sisters who have no place to stay so that you swines can roam around in your Hondas and Toyotas and watch movies in multiplexes. India is progressing indeed but its progressing by trampling these poor people under her feet. Their blood is on you. You are responsible for their death. You are responsible for making them homeless. You are responsible for killing them. But why will you care. You are busy watching IPL, SRK & SRT. Those dark skinned, skinny malnutritioned people are not even humans for you. If they die you don't care. You care for the MLAs, MPs, BJP, Congress leaders. Who cares for these adiwasis? Not you. You people are Babus, suited booted, net-savvy twitter, facebook generation sitting in front of laptops and PCs busy doing e-shopping and watching cannes film festival. What do you know of the plight of those poor illiterate people who cannot even add 2 numbers. They are not humans. They are garbage for you and if they die ... its their fate. But they fight they are terrorists.You are so blind and so controlled by your masters that people who know your country better pity you and spit on you..No, I do not agree with any of these. Heck, I have never been there and I am in no position to make any comment on it. Again, these are not my thoughts.Then another popular comment followed:

This one taking out the anger against Congress. I have a gut feeling that the problem of Naxalism is due to the policies of Congress, but there are still those unhealed wounds of 1984 which are not going away. The anger doesn't show up, but it has reached in the depth of hearts of Indians.

Then another comment followed, which was just a hint

But the next one was not so subtle, but warned that such things are possible even by the educated people, only they are not getting a chance due to security of the VIPs. And people agreed to his comment!

 

One comment tried to explain the way Karma was killed. I don't know how true it is, but people agreed with him.

Then came a sane comment from someone who claims to have worked in those areas. I think this is the most important comment of all and might help us understand what goes on, in those areas.

Finally, I saw a sane, and civilized comment, though not very popular with just 22 "Agrees", it was a positive one. I totally agree with this guy from Chennai. Yes, Life is precious. The cycle of revenge and hate is never ending. Yes, India is more chaotic and corrupt by the day, but still, we have to stay civilized and stay sane.

These Naxals need to shed their arms and lust for blood. Naxalism started in 1967, and till not its achievements and achivements of Rahul Gandhi are almost same. Naxalism has failed.

It would be better to join the political process. Get power through elections (they claim to have support) and change your own destiny.

Hate begets Hate. It will never end.

...

Ant and Grasshopper - New Version

Ant and Grasshopper:

Original Story:

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter. The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs dances plays the summer away. Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed.

The Grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold. 

Indian Version:

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter. The Grasshopper thinks the Ant's a fool and laughs dances plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering Grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the Ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering Grasshopper next to a video of the Ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the Ant's house. Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other Grasshoppers demanding that Grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.

Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the Grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the Grasshopper (many promising Heaven & Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance). AKHILESH YADAV uses AZAM KHAN issue Fatwa to woo the Grasshoppers. Left parties call for 'Bengal Bandh' in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry.

CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat. M KARUNANIDHI remarks ANT as THIEF'. Shinde blames ANT to be a Saffron Terrorist. Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'. Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the 'Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act'[POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the winter. Congress makes 'Special Reservation' for Grasshoppers in Educational Institutions in Government Services.

The Ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes; its home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the Grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV, BBC, and CNN.

−      Arundhati Roy calls it 'A Triumph of Justice'.

−      Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'.

−      CPM calls it the 'Revolutionary Resurgence of the Downtrodden'.

−      Koffi Annan invites the Grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.

...

Many years later ... The Ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi-billion dollar company in Silicon Valley, 100s of Grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India AND as a result of losing lot of hard working Ants are still feeding the Grasshopper.

The Plan-B of Team Modi

The next general elections would be in 2014, and still BJP has not announced its PM candidate. There has been a growing noise in support of Narendra Modi. He was disappointed in 2009 when Advani was projected as the PM candidate, and in that election, BJP lost badly. But still BJP is reluctant to announce Modi as PM candidate yet.

I will not go into the reasons on why this announcement has not yet happened, but I have heard few rumours (yes, I cannot substantiate), and observed few patterns in BJP politics to come to this:

Plan B of Team Modi is, if BJP does not announce Modi as the PM candidate, Narendra Modi, Subramanian Swamy and Ramdev will join hands with Modi leaving BJP and starting a new party - based upon Hindutva.

Here are the reasons:

1.   I have a close friend in the Team Modi, and that person once told me that Modi and Swamy would join hands to form their own party, if Modi is not announced as PM candidate.

 
2.  The 'Hindutva' term is given by Team Modi. How many times have you heard Arun Jaitley or Sushma Swaraj or LK Advani use that term? This term is being used as a binding gel for Hindus in India and abroad.

3.  Wikileaks exposed that Arun Jaitley once said this about the term Hindutva:

Pressed on the question of Hindutva, Jaitley argued that Hindu nationalism ""will always be a talking point"" for the BJP. However, he characterized this as an opportunistic issue. In India's northeast, for instance, Hindutva plays well because of public anxiety about illegal migration of Muslims from Bangladesh. With the recent improvement of Indo-Pak relations, he added, Hindu nationalism is now less resonant in New Delhi, but that could change with another cross-border terrorist attack, for instance on the Indian Parliament. 

  Now, how could such a person back Narendra Modi as a PM?

4.  There have been reports and tweets (tweets are lost in time, but I assure they are there) that Subramanian Swamy does wants to merge his party with BJP, however there are certain elements inside BJP which oppose this merger. I wonder why! Swamy is a very popular figure with a very high following on twitter. He can only make BJP stronger, still he is being denied.

5.  Modi (Hindutva brigade), Swamy (Virat Hindus) and Ramdev (Middle class/lower middle class) cover three different kinds of Hindus. Modi joining hands with Ramdev has made it formal that Sadhus and Saints have given the support to Modi.

6.  Even in Gujarat, Modi does not enjoy support of VHP and Bajrang Dal, which actually campaigned against him in Gujarat elections:

Face of secularism in Gujarat- Congress candidate agnst Modi supported by VHP, Bajrang Dal, Teesta, Shabnam Hashmi- all campaigned together
— Madhu Kishwar (@madhukishwar) April 14, 2013

  Which means that not all is well between Team Modi and Sangh Parivar

7.  Even though Ramdev praised Narendra Modi, he did NOT praise BJP!

8.   Even though Arvind Kejriwal started the term - "Congress = BJP", a lot many people are starting to say the same. Only difference is, they now say BJP-Modi = Congress! Excerpt from Sanjeev Sabhalok's blog:

I agree with Swami Ramdev now that Modi is the best leader India has got today (among a very poor set of leaders), but that does not mean I support BJP – not one bit! – it being an absolutely corrupt outfit, on par with Congress.

9.  Sushma Swaraj is the biggest reason why BJP might have to face a split. I have listened to all her interviews closely and she, though praises Modi, never says he would be the PM candidate. Let's have a look at her Twitter profile:

 

    She follows no one! Now, there is one gentleman from BJP (your assignment to find who he is, I assure you would find him on twitter) who actually fasted for 16 hours, requesting Sushma Ji to follow Narendra Modi on twitter and she didn't budge!

10. Last, but not the least, this tweet by Madhu Kishwar:

B Team of Congress in BJP shd know if Modi were to float his own party, 99% of BJP workers would join Modi. They can then join Sonia durbar
— Madhu Kishwar (@madhukishwar) April 26, 2013

  I have never met or interacted with Madhu. She doesn't even know who I am and if I exist. She has been researching deeply in the matter of Narendra Modi. How come both of us are thinking on the same line?