AAP goes national, membership drive kicks off in Karnataka

Bangalore, Jan 11: Setting its eye at the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday launched its country-wide membership drive here.

Addressing reporters, member of the national executive of AAP, Prithvi Reddy said that anybody, any aam aadmi can be a member of the AAP. "You don't have to be a garib aadmi (poor man) or an amir aadmi (rich man) to be a member of AAP. Anybody who wants to change the system, can fill up a form that is there on our website [see here], give a missed call on this number (07798220033) and become a member," Reddy said.

Speaking about its national goals, Reddy said that anybody who wished to contest the Lok Sabha elections, could apply provided they fit certain criteria set by the party. "Anyone who has a good character, is non-corrupt, has no criminal record, is non-communal and non-casteist and can demonstrate leadership qualities can apply. The person will also need to have 100 signatures from people, who will vouch for his/her good character.

The form submitted will then undergo through scrutiny and screening by the party and then these forms will be put on our website, seeking the public's feedback on that particular candidate. Post that again the state committee will screen the credentials and only if found to be fit for the elections, the person will be given a ticket to contest," Reddy said.

Reddy: You don't have to be a garib aadmi or amir aadmi to join AAP

Reddy said that after the Delhi assembly elections the number of people wanting to join AAP has also gone up.

On asking about whether the party can take on political biggies like Congress and BJP, Reddy told OneIndia that the recent Delhi assembly elections was a proof that the party could take on Congress and BJP.

"We try to give the common man an alternative. In fact both the traditional parties are trying to copy us. It is however very difficult for other parties to replicate what we have done because we involve the public. In their case, they defend on paid workers, which does not work every time," Reddy said.

When asked about allegations that AAP was also just like any other political party, Reddy said that AAP had formed a minority government in Delhi. "We have shown that elections can be won by commmon people too. Parties make government look like rocket science when it is not," he said.

Speaking about the party's future plans, Reddy said that as of now AAP had provided people with temporary solutions. "We are just a 12 day old government, what we have done is provide temporary relief to people till the next six months. We will need some more time to implement our plans with a long term goal and permanent result," he said.

OneIndia News