Kejriwal hasn't lost his touch
In a huge boost to the Aam Admi Party, its first public rally in the Capital since the Lok Sabha election saw a massive turnout at Jantar Mantar.
The rousing and impressive response to the rally, called by the party to build public pressure on the Centre to hold elections in Delhi, does seem to indicate that party chief Arvind Kejriwal hasn't lost his touch and remains a formidable political force in Delhi.
The sweltering Delhi heat failed to deter the crowds who descended on Jantar Mantar in thousands.
Supporters and volunteers sporting Aam Admi Party caps, waving the Indian flag and placards jostled for space at the protest venue in Jantar Mantar in Central Delhi, with many climbing on walls, trees and parked vehicles to hear Kejriwal, who was welcomed with loud cheers by the crowd.
"I came here to hear what Kejriwal had to say, to know what his agenda is. Having come here I am seriously thinking of signing up as a volunteer," said Rahul, a software developer at Microsoft.
"The BJP doesn't want elections in Delhi. Why is Modi not thinking about Delhi. We want an elected government. We should give AAP another chance because the BJP government is failing us on every front, electricity, water, price rise," added Rahul.
Akhilesh Tripathi, a student from Hindu College, Delhi University, present at the rally said he was confident of AAP returning to power if elections were called in Delhi.
"The people you see here today have come on their own and have not been paid to come here. Many students at DU are supporting Kejriwal. Now we are seeing the true face of the BJP. Look at how they are handling the UPSC issue," said Tripathi.
AAP leaders including Manish Sissodia, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, Gopal Rai, Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Somnath Bharti were present at the rally.
"There should be an election. We have so many problems. Where do we go? Every thing has come to a standstill. We need an elected government. We didn't see the kind of commitment we expected from the Central government to resolve the electricity crisis," said Rupinder Kaur, who gave up her job at the National Council of Applied Economic Research to join Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha election.
Asked about AAP's performance in Parliamentary elections, Kaur said, "Lok Sabha elections are different from state elections. Look at what happened in Uttrakhand. BJP has lost all three seats in the by-election. The dynamics are changing," said Kaur.
The rally also saw visible support from auto drivers, who were the backbone AAP's campaign during the assembly elections.
"Kejriwal is the only politician who has treated auto drivers with respect. We have been with him from the very start and we are now identified with the party. For us, he is like our family," said Ramjeet, an auto driver.
Also present at the rally were e-rickshaw operators and UPSC aspirants who are protesting against the language bias in the preliminary examination. more
The rousing and impressive response to the rally, called by the party to build public pressure on the Centre to hold elections in Delhi, does seem to indicate that party chief Arvind Kejriwal hasn't lost his touch and remains a formidable political force in Delhi.
The sweltering Delhi heat failed to deter the crowds who descended on Jantar Mantar in thousands.
Supporters and volunteers sporting Aam Admi Party caps, waving the Indian flag and placards jostled for space at the protest venue in Jantar Mantar in Central Delhi, with many climbing on walls, trees and parked vehicles to hear Kejriwal, who was welcomed with loud cheers by the crowd.
"I came here to hear what Kejriwal had to say, to know what his agenda is. Having come here I am seriously thinking of signing up as a volunteer," said Rahul, a software developer at Microsoft.
"The BJP doesn't want elections in Delhi. Why is Modi not thinking about Delhi. We want an elected government. We should give AAP another chance because the BJP government is failing us on every front, electricity, water, price rise," added Rahul.
Akhilesh Tripathi, a student from Hindu College, Delhi University, present at the rally said he was confident of AAP returning to power if elections were called in Delhi.
"The people you see here today have come on their own and have not been paid to come here. Many students at DU are supporting Kejriwal. Now we are seeing the true face of the BJP. Look at how they are handling the UPSC issue," said Tripathi.
AAP leaders including Manish Sissodia, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, Gopal Rai, Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Somnath Bharti were present at the rally.
"There should be an election. We have so many problems. Where do we go? Every thing has come to a standstill. We need an elected government. We didn't see the kind of commitment we expected from the Central government to resolve the electricity crisis," said Rupinder Kaur, who gave up her job at the National Council of Applied Economic Research to join Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha election.
Asked about AAP's performance in Parliamentary elections, Kaur said, "Lok Sabha elections are different from state elections. Look at what happened in Uttrakhand. BJP has lost all three seats in the by-election. The dynamics are changing," said Kaur.
The rally also saw visible support from auto drivers, who were the backbone AAP's campaign during the assembly elections.
"Kejriwal is the only politician who has treated auto drivers with respect. We have been with him from the very start and we are now identified with the party. For us, he is like our family," said Ramjeet, an auto driver.
Also present at the rally were e-rickshaw operators and UPSC aspirants who are protesting against the language bias in the preliminary examination. more
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The reality is that common people are sick of the current dispensation and wants to change it. AAP is not just Kejriwal but a people's movement for cleansing the corrupt systems. Yes, Kejriwal is a person who has taken up the leadership role with dedication and commitment that we do not find in a person, easily. However, we should remeber that there is danger in naming this movement as Kejriwal's party as like all of us, he too is a normal, well meaning, dedicated to the cause individual and like all of us can sometimes go wrong in his decision. Let us all be focussed on the real objective of AAP and resolve that irrespective of individual actions/ decisions of an individual, we will continue to be associated with the movement, till we achieve the 'GOAL'. Individuals can be faulted and attacked for their acts of commission and omissions, a well intended mission can't. Let us all work for the cause by contributing in whatever manner we can but vow to remain steadfast in our resolve to fight the corrupt dispensation. more
Aug 08
I am afraid,if the crowd was not actually transported to join the rally from outside delhi,since i have seen vehicles from punjab & haryana as well near the venue.Remember Mr.kejriwal will not manage to get a massive support from the voter in delhi once again unless he wins their confidence. BJP is also extra careful in declaring elections under the refined leadership of M/s.Amit Shah.They will not declare election unless they become confident to get a comfortable majority. AAP should not take it as easy, as did in past when the their candidates not even visited their respective constituency to ask for the vote.I have never seen Mr.Manoj kumar,the sitting MLA, even once in my constituency or working for the public in his constituency. No one knows his horns or where about,where does he stays and his office or public meeting time. They have been allotted money which they can spent for the development work of the area but he does not where & how the money should be spent.As an AAP member i've never met him even once in last 10 months then how he can expect to get vote next time.Contrary to this,the BJP candidate Mr.Dushiant goutam & Mr.Amrish Goutam of Congress has visited at leat 15 times in last 10-11 months.No one is familiar with the face of Mr.Manoj. Therefore,one must say that this time the path for Delhi assembly is going to be difficult for our dear friend Mr.Kejriwal. more
Aug 07
