M’lore: AAP set to change nature of politics; Yogendra Yadav

Pics By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 14 Apr 2014: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national executive Committee member and their Lok Sabha candidate Yogendra Yadav who is contesting in the upcoming LS polls in Gurgaon, visited the city, as part of party’s campaign on Sunday April 13, emphasized that AAP is here to be an alternative to both Congress and BJP to change the nature of politics.

 
Addressing a media conference at AAP district office here, Yadav said, ‘I am in my favorite part of the country which has natural beauty and diversity. We are here to change the nature of politics. We get this opportunity for bringing about a systematic change only once in 5 years. AAP is here to provide an alternative in governance and bring a change in the kind of politics we see today. That is systematic change,’ said Yadav.

 
Attacking both Congress and BJP, Yadav said, ‘On the one hand there is the UPA-led Congress, which Rahul Gandhi is informally its face. UPA in the past 10 years completely discredited performance and created a record in corruption. They faltered on economic growth and growth of people. They played vote bank politics. Secularism of Congress has also been completely discredited. Rahul Gandhi has no credibility,’ said Yadav.

 
‘On the other hand the BJP-led NDA is clearly led by Narendra Modi. BJP is not an alternative because they provide the same kind of politics as Congress. In corruption also BJP is no different from Congress. This is quite evident in Karnataka after BJP re-inducted Yeddyurappa and Sriramulu. BJP never offers development. The so-called Gujarat model is not really a model of development - it is a model of selective growth for small portion of the population where less attention is paid on education, healthcare, nutrition, and mortality rate is high. This is also not an alternative. BJP or Gujarat model is particularly associated with helping the majority to thrive. This is against the democratic norms of the nation,’ said Yadav.

 

 

 

‘Every community, caste and religion has every right - that is what AAP believes in. The country needs an alternative in politics, not substitution. AAP emerged from the strong movement against corruption. It is also involved in the movement against political corruption and desire for political freedom. AAP is bringing power back to the country and to the people not only through gram panchyats but also through gram sabhas. It believes in devolution of power through the lowest rank. AAP believes in protection of social justice and secularism. It has fielded 400 candidates throughout the country. Our efficacy is determined by the role we play. We need to change the rules of the game and change the foundation through alternative form of politics, said Yadav.

In reply to a query from media persons, Yogendra Yadav said, ‘Everyone should get equal rights, especially the minorities who suffer from vulnerability, as per Articles 25, 26 and 27 of Indian Constitution. Even in our manifesto, we have emphasized on economic policy and foreign policy. In foreign policy we are against incursion. We believe maintaining friendly relations with other countries.

‘We want India to be a multi-polar universe where the country attains growth,’ stressed Yadav.

On AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s battle against Narendra Modi in Varanasi, Yadav said, ‘AAP workers are putting in all efforts to defeat Modi. It is not a symbolic fight but a serious effort to defeat Modi. AAP workers have been reaching out to all villages and mohallas. We want to be a viable alternative in politics,’ said Yadav.

Asked how many seats AAP expects to win, Yadav said, ‘We are not concerned about numbers. We only need to make our presence felt,’ said Yadav.

AAP Dakhina Kannada (DK) LS candidate Marpally Ramaraya Vasudeva was present.