Interview: Mayank Gandhi of the Aam Aadmi Party
April 25, 2014
Mumbai: Mayank Gandhi is the Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate from the Mumbai Northwest seat and heads the party’s Maharasthra wing. He was a key member of the India Against Corruption movement that catapulted Arvind Kejriwal and his team into the limelight. Earlier he had also been a member of the Lok Satta Party and worked with several NGOs.
Q. Opinion polls are not giving too many seats to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Lok Sabha elections. What’s your assessment of AAP’s chances?
A. We all know opinion polls are managed and controlled. We hope to surprise the psephologists like we did in Delhi. There is a phenomenal undercurrent of anger against traditional & tainted parties. This time it will translate more into votes against them and their religious\caste biases.
Q. But many people are questioning AAP’s decision to quit the Delhi government after 49 days. Will it affect the party’s performance?
A. Some people who are exposed to the media onslaught against AAP have questions. But once we explain that this sacrifice has been made for long term institutional reforms like Janlokpal, they are coming back. We make it our duty to answer any doubts caste in the minds of the electorals with absolute honesty and its this integrity on our part is making us a strong force to reckon with.
Q. Do you miss the presence of Anna Hazare from the campaign, especially in Maharashtra?
A. Absolutely. But we do need to learn to be without him.
Q. Allegations have been made that AAP can’t rule, it is anarchist, you have been called as urban naxals, how do you react to them?
A. AAP’s 49 days in government was one of the best in terms of result. Corruption was rooted out, 12 out of 18 manifesto points were finished, if this is not governance, what is? Replacing the bad governance with Swaraj, a non-violent form of anarchy will challenge and disrupt power centers and turn India into a participating democracy.
Q. Several people have broken away from AAP after the historic performance in Delhi? People have been leaving the party with serious allegations on Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and some other leaders.
A. Every growing & dynamic party will have people leaving and joining,especially when there are limited seats & multiple contenders.
Q. You are the face of the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra, and you are locked in a tough four-cornered electoral battle. Does that put pressure on you?
A. It’s the first election for me, but the people’s support has been tremendous. We have some excellent volunteers who are working hard at the back office and relieving pressure of me.
Q. Rakhi Sawant is also contesting from the same seat. Your comments.
A. She does not seem like a serious contender.
- This story was first published in www.thepoliticalindian.com on April 25, 2014
April 25, 2014
Mumbai: Mayank Gandhi is the Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate from the Mumbai Northwest seat and heads the party’s Maharasthra wing. He was a key member of the India Against Corruption movement that catapulted Arvind Kejriwal and his team into the limelight. Earlier he had also been a member of the Lok Satta Party and worked with several NGOs.
Q. Opinion polls are not giving too many seats to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Lok Sabha elections. What’s your assessment of AAP’s chances?
A. We all know opinion polls are managed and controlled. We hope to surprise the psephologists like we did in Delhi. There is a phenomenal undercurrent of anger against traditional & tainted parties. This time it will translate more into votes against them and their religious\caste biases.
Q. But many people are questioning AAP’s decision to quit the Delhi government after 49 days. Will it affect the party’s performance?
A. Some people who are exposed to the media onslaught against AAP have questions. But once we explain that this sacrifice has been made for long term institutional reforms like Janlokpal, they are coming back. We make it our duty to answer any doubts caste in the minds of the electorals with absolute honesty and its this integrity on our part is making us a strong force to reckon with.
Q. Do you miss the presence of Anna Hazare from the campaign, especially in Maharashtra?
A. Absolutely. But we do need to learn to be without him.
Q. Allegations have been made that AAP can’t rule, it is anarchist, you have been called as urban naxals, how do you react to them?
A. AAP’s 49 days in government was one of the best in terms of result. Corruption was rooted out, 12 out of 18 manifesto points were finished, if this is not governance, what is? Replacing the bad governance with Swaraj, a non-violent form of anarchy will challenge and disrupt power centers and turn India into a participating democracy.
Q. Several people have broken away from AAP after the historic performance in Delhi? People have been leaving the party with serious allegations on Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and some other leaders.
A. Every growing & dynamic party will have people leaving and joining,especially when there are limited seats & multiple contenders.
Q. You are the face of the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra, and you are locked in a tough four-cornered electoral battle. Does that put pressure on you?
A. It’s the first election for me, but the people’s support has been tremendous. We have some excellent volunteers who are working hard at the back office and relieving pressure of me.
Q. Rakhi Sawant is also contesting from the same seat. Your comments.
A. She does not seem like a serious contender.
- This story was first published in www.thepoliticalindian.com on April 25, 2014
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