The Aam Aadmi Party has added the names of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to its list of corrupt politicians against whom it would field candidates. The party had named 28 in that list on Friday, including Rahul Gandhi, Nitin Gadkari and Mayawati, provoking questions as to why it had kept out Modis name.Gopal Rai, a member of AAPs Political Affairs Committee, said Sonia and Modi were leaders of political parties that symbolise corruption. Their names were suggested by party workers afterArvind Kejriwals speech on Friday morning. We will put up strong candidates against all the people on the list, and we will continue to add names, he said.Rai added that apart from corrupt politicians, they would continue to field candidates against politicians facing criminal cases, and those who represent dynasty politics. It is these three ills that the party will look to fight in the Lok Sabha elections, said Rai.The party is planning a volunteer drive from February 5 to recruit five lakh volunteers before the Lok Sabha elections, apart from a countrywide Jhadu Yatra starting February 15. If the other parties have Rs 500 crore budgets, we will combat them on the basis of our volunteer strength, like we did in Delhi, said Rai.Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav clarified the partys stance on khap panchayats and said it drew the line where coercion began. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals comment that these could not be banned had drawn flak. His stand and that of the party is identical, said Yadav. It is to say that khap panchayats are like social organisations which exist in every society of this country which seek to resolve disputes amicably. These exist as not all problems can be taken to courts. Therefore, if there is consent on the decision from all parties involved, it is fine. However, the Aam Aadmi Party does not and will never accept coercion, breaking the law and murder. We believe in the Constitution and the right to freedom, equality, including gender equality.Questioned about the partys stance on Telangana, Yadav said they were in principle for smaller states.However, we insist that the unique character of Hyderabad be kept, and that an amicable solution for all people be found.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:45:04 +0000