AAP will expose ‘nexus’ between BJP, Congress: Damania

* No pre or post LS poll alliance with any party, says AAP Maharashtra Convener
* The activist claims that Anna’s supporters are joining AAP with his blessings

Staff Reporter
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been targeting former National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nitin Gadkari, now has decided to ‘expose’ the ‘nexus’ between Gadkari and Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar.
“Both, the BJP and the Congress, are on the same plank for AAP. Soon, we will be exposing nexus between Gadkari and Muttemwar,” said Maharashtra Convener of AAP Anjali Damania. She was responding to a question during ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by Nagpur Union of Working Journalists (NUWJ) at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan here on Saturday.

Photo courtesy: Satish Raut

Stating that AAP would not opt for any pre- or post-poll alliance, Damania said, “If any outfit or party wants to join us, that is possible only through its merger with AAP.” Asked about Congress’ support to AAP in Delhi, she maintained that AAP did not seek Congress’ support but it was Congress that supported AAP’s minority government on its volition.
On anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare maintaining a distance from AAP, Damania said that Anna’s supporters were joining and supporting AAP with his blessings. She expressed AAP’s desire of Anna joining the party in its election campaign.
Asked why prominent political faces were not joining AAP, she observed, “We strongly believe that talented people, common people can usher in positive change in the affairs of the country.” Further, AAP was born to transform ‘leaders’ into ‘common men’ in the era when ‘leaders’ were becoming ‘dealers’. As far as Vidarbha region is concerned, genuine persons like farmers’ activist Vijay Jawandhiya and Independent MLA Bachchu Kadu should join AAP, she felt.
Condemning Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharati’s controversial statements, Anjali Damania said, “Any person in public life should be extremely careful about the language and words he uses, and Bharti is no exception to this.” At the same time, she added, much of the criticism of AAP in media was out of people’s expectations from the new party. To another question, she replied that AAP had decided to consult people on very important policy issues only and not every now and then.
President of Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust Pradip Maitra, Secretary Shirish Borkar, NUWJ Secretary Anupam Soni, AAP office-bearers Rajesh Pugalia, Devendra Wankhade and others shared the dais during ‘Meet the Press’ programme.

‘Every saint has a past, every
corrupt person has a future’
During the course of interaction, Anjali Damania became a victim of over-enthusiasm when she said that she would not mind (gangster) Arun Gawali or Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi or Robert Vadra joining the AAP as primary members.
Later, she hastened to clarify that screening would be done when it came to making someone an office-bearer or a candidate of AAP in election. “Besides, every saint has a past and every corrupt person has a future. So, if someone wants to change, he/she can become a member of AAP with honest intentions. But, that will not guarantee candidature in elections,” observed AAP state convener, as an attempt of cover up.
Later in the evening, realising the repercussions of Damania’s statement, AAP Spokesperson Girish Nandgaonkar issued a ‘clarificatory note’ about her statement. The statement read, “Any citizen of India who has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude is welcome to join the Aam Aadmi Party as an ordinary/primary member. There is no pre-screening process in place to exclude such people from the tens of lakhs of Indians who are joining the party. However, as soon as any information of this nature is brought to our notice, the party takes immediate action to cancel the membership of such individuals. The standards of honesty and probity expected from individuals who aspire to positions of leadership or responsibility are much higher.”

AAP’s first list of LS
candidates in a week
Making it clear once again that she will not contest Lok Sabha (LS) election, Anjali Damania told the reporters that AAP’s first list of candidates for Lok Sabha poll from Maharashtra would be out in a week. From Sunday, scrutiny of candidates would be started by AAP’s internal panel.

CPI Distt Secy Jammu Anand joins AAP
AAP got a relatively prominent public face in its fold on Saturday with Communist Party of India (CPI) District Secretary Jammu Anand joining the new party. He accepted the ‘AAP cap’ from Anjali Damania.
Formally announcing his joining AAP, Jammu Anand issued a statement that read, “This is a period when we are witnessing the common men are asserting against corrupt establishment and politicians, and are on streets very much, which prompts a sensible and responsive response to the present phenomenon.” Before finalising decision to join AAP, Jammu Anand said that he had consulted his school/college mates, members of various unions he heads, social organisations, academicians, professionals, intellectuals and friends.
Like Anjali Damania, Jammu Anand also had been in news over taking anti-Gadkari stand over certain issues in the past. Incidentally, Jammu Anand also headed workers’ union in BJP-ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation. With his joining the AAP, it remains to be seen if he continues heading various workers’ unions affiliated to CPI. Also, it will be interesting to watch if AAP finds its candidate in him for Lok Sabha election from Nagpur.

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on January 26, 2014)