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There's a political vacuum that we aim to fill: Yogendra Yadav

Suhas Munshi | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 7:52 IST

It is not the first time that a person who has spent the better part of his life analysing politics has gone on to join active politics. Veterans such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee cut his teeth as a political commentator before he joined the then newly formed Jan Sangh.

But Yogendra Yadav, who along with Prashant Bhushan just announced the launch of their political party, has some experience with AAP to bank on. Although it was short lived and quite forgettable.

He tried his hand at the hustings in 2014 general elections from Gurgaon on an AAP ticket. He came fourth and lost his deposit.

In an interview with Catch, Yadav talks about the reasons for launching his own party, which he says will be 'of a different kind', the innovations to polity that he's trying to bring about, the factors which he's counting on to make it a success, and mistakes from AAP that he'll try not to repeat here.

You were trying to build up a momentum with Swaraj Abhiyan, which was also a fairly political organisation, but barely 15 months after founding it, you have now decided to put all your energies behind forming a new political party?

YY: This decision was not taken overnight. We needed a critical mass for this. We had decided to have district level elections in one-third district of seven states, and once we got enough numbers, we decided to announce the launch of a party.

This happened recently, and in our national convention, out of 433 delegates present in the convention, 405 voted in favour of launching the party, so that's when it was decided.

Which are these states where you have built up your presence?

YY: Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Have you timed the launch of your party deliberately in view of the upcoming state elections? Of the states that you mentioned, Uttar Pradesh, is going to polls very soon. Is this the place where you'll start your political innings?

YY: No. We understand that Uttar Pradesh is not the best place to start our political career. What we know is that ours is not a party that will be contesting anywhere and everywhere. We won't jump in electoral politics right away.

But couldn't you continue the same work with Swaraj Abhiyan? Why the need for your own political party?

YY: Yes it's a question we've been asked repeatedly. People have said, "you're a decent lot of people who are talking about farmer issues why do you want to engage in politics?" I see some force in this. It's true that a lot can be done without being in active politics.

For instance, even if Prashant Bhushan was not into active politics, he would have still done great for the society. We have been told that we can engage in work like Aruna Roy has.

But we have to remember what we're dealing with is the instrument of the state, which is the most powerful and dangerous innovation of modern times. All your work can be negated in one swoop of the state. That's why we need a direct instrument of a party to intervene in influencing the state.

All your work can be negated in one swoop of the state - @_YogendraYadav

You have often talked about the desperation which Arvind Kejriwal succumbed to as last year's assembly elections drew close. About his failure to introduce a strong Lokpal after having come to power promising it. How are you planning to do things differently with your party?

YY: Kejriwal first dithering over the issue of Lokpal and then introducing a diluted Lokpal was a bit like CPI (M) coming to power and bringing a bill that favoured landlords.

As far as our party is concerned, our district leaders have been chosen after a transparent voting process in one-third district of seven states. We are the first party to have done so, even before contesting elections. We have made not just our income but our expenditure public too. We have instituted a Lokpal as well. There is a strong grievance redressal mechanism in place also. .

The promises of transparency and accountability within the party are appreciable, but you'll have to think of winning elections after all. Looking at your party membership today, how do you consider your prospects.

YY: I think that parties that participate but lose elections also contribute to the polity of that state. Take the case of Green parties of Europe who have lost elections but Europe is still the better for them. A local example of this will be socialist and communist parties of India.

They did not come to power during the 1950s and 60s but if the Indian state remained democratic during that tough period, huge credit goes to these parties...for democratising the democracy.

Where do you fit in, in the current political scenario? What space are you looking to occupy?

YY: I think there is a political vacuum which we aim to fill.

On one hand, you've got a majority party in power which is openly anti-minority, anti-Muslim to be specific, and anti-farmer. And on the other hand, there is Congress which is intellectually so bankrupt that despite having fought for the independence struggle they've handed over the plank of nationalism to BJP.

I think there is a political vacuum which we aim to fill - @_YogendraYadav

AAP offered many hopes but has degenerated at a pace that hasn't been seen in the history of Indian politics previously. And the greed for votes is behind it. They speak, act and protest only where they see votes.

Kashmir was one instance where everyone had something to say, but AAP's leaders chose to remain silent.

Now that you bring the subject up, what are your views on the recent events in Kashmir? Some people think that the valley hasn't been as far from India than it is now.

YY: In Kashmir there has been a long, embedded process of alienation because of successive governments not providing enough political autonomy to the people. The people have suffered historic injustice. This has now resulted in popular unrest and anger.

What do you mean when you say that Kashmiris have not been given political autonomy?

YY: Kashmir has in theory enjoyed most autonomy than any other state. The Indian constitution has given Kashmir more powers than it has given to any other state. But in practice, Kashmir enjoys less autonomy than Delhi or Haryana. So what I mean is that Kashmiris don't think they're in charge of their destiny.

Do you see the fraught relationship with Kashmir turning from a regional to a communal conflict?

YY: Kashmir has historically not been a religious question, it was and remains a regional question. But if we don't arrive at a solution which brings peace, it could turn into a communal question as well.

Finally, you were part of the team that gave AAP its name. You later expressed dissatisfaction with the name when questions were raised about why it was not an Aam Aurat, but an Aam Aadmi Party. What names have you shortlisted for your party?

YY: Yes it is true I had some reservations about this name. I thought it was not appropriate. But I was proven wrong later when it became hugely popular and everyone seemed to take to it. For our party we have not selected any names yet. We've asked for suggestions and we're open to them.

Edited by Jhinuk Sen

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First published: 4 August 2016, 9:46 IST
 
Suhas Munshi @suhasmunshi

He hasn't been to journalism school, as evident by his refusal to end articles with 'ENDS' or 'EOM'. Principal correspondent at Catch, Suhas studied engineering and wrote code for a living before moving to writing mystery-shrouded-pall-of-gloom crime stories. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. Some more bylines followed in Hindustan Times, Times of India and Mail Today.