Arvind Kejriwal and other social activists addressing during a protest rally in New Delhi. UNI Photo (files)
After splitting with Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched his political party without giving out its name, promising to change the system and not just faces in Parliament. From the dais with an imposing poster of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri in the backdrop, Kejriwal said they will announce the party’s name on November 26, the day on which in 1949 the Constitution was adopted, as the group is yet to finalise the registration process.
In his address to his supporters at a day-long meeting, he said, “when we raised issues regarding Lokpal, leaders had asked us why cannot we contest elections and then attempt on making laws. Now we will show them by contesting elections.
“From today, people are entering politics. Corrupt leaders, count your days…All the parties have cheated us. We will not now request, we will not plead. Now it is a full-throttle political battle,” he said.
He said there was a time when people who fought elections were considered patriots but now people contesting elections are seen as hungry for power.
“All parties are corrupt…Our party will change the system and not just the faces in Parliament, he said.
He also said, “Start counting your days all you corrupt people.”
He said the budgets should be made in streets and bylanes and not in Parliament and mentioned about a Brazilian town which has adopted this method.
“While many people say that direct power to people is a weird idea, I can say it with all the confidence that this very much possible. We are working on a model for this and will implement the same if elected to power,” he said while unveiling his party’s draft vision document.
He also announced a series of agitations against Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government on the power and water tariff hike issue, threatening to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence and snapping power to her house on November four if she does not withdraw the hike by then.
Kejriwal’s ‘vision document’
A ‘vision document’ released earlier in the day chalked out the aims and ideals of the party. The document called ‘Quest for Swaraj, From Subjecthood to Citizenship’ says the party envisions an “independent, powerful and effective” Janlokpal, free school education, universal healthcare and an end to female foeticide and violence against women.
“We envision a world where every country, every province, every village and every locality enjoys freedom within its own sphere, where every individual and community can decide on matters concerning their well-being,” the document says.