India’s Aam Aadmi Party Wins Hearts and Forms Government in Delhi · Global Voices
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Arvind Kerjiwal, leader of Aam Aadmi Party, addressing a crowd. Image by Rohit Gautam. Copyright Demotix (10/6/2013)
The hottest new party making waves in India's political scene, Aam Aadmi Party, has secured the crucial support of members of Indian National Congress to form government.
Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man's Party, abbreviated AAP), led by anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal, emerged as the second largest party in the December 4, 2013 Delhi Assembly election, playing the spoiler to Indian National Congress, who took third and saw an end to their 15-year-rule in Delhi state government.
After first attempts at forming government failed, Indian National Congress’ support allowed AAP to reach the 36 seats necessary for a majority in the Delhi Assembly. 45-year-old Kejriwal became the seventh Chief Minister of Delhi and has asked for ten days for create a system to resolve people's problems in Delhi.
A vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly on January 2, 2014, with AAP's 28 members, seven Congress members, one JD(U) MLA member and one independent in favor, sealed the deal for Kejriwal and his party. Before the vote, Kejriwal made the case for AAP and the common man in a speech:
Who is an aam aadmi? AAP believes that the middle class is part of the aam aadmi, anyone who is tired of this corrupt system is aam aadmi.
I was reading two people died of cold in Delhi. Millions have been spent after independence and perhaps this could have been avoided if the money was well-spent. Where did all the money go? The aam aadmi wants to know. We must acknowledge that politics in this country has been criminalised.
The speech generated much buzz on Twitter:
Moved to tears with #arvind kejriwals speech. I promise today to vote for #aap and support them in any way I can. Damn all other partys
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) January 2, 2014
watched Arvind Kerjriwal's speech. 2014 is looking more lively. hoping for a better india. #AAP
— mohammed hisham CG (@hishamcg) January 2, 2014
Aamir Khan on NDTV, other parties used to say give us ur vote we will rule you, Arvind kejriwal say give us vote and I will let u rule.#AAP
— ARJUN GROVER (@ArjunGrover4u) January 2, 2014
Strange to see jitters are running down the spine of traditional political parties after the advent of #AAP. #BJP & #Congress. #India
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) January 2, 2014
To all young n old ctzns of India : Honestly, ask urself if u ever heard such issues raised in assembly post independence #aap @Riczb
— rajesh (@rkpolasa) January 2, 2014
People are showing interest in politics than cricket because of #AAP! pic.twitter.com/Z7rQxEeU8W
— Kapil (@kapsology) January 2, 2014
#2014WillBring something new in politics history because of #AAP !!
— Bathroom singer (@pradeeptamilan) January 2, 2014
However Shamit Manchanda reminds AAP's declaration on December 10 that it will neither take nor extend support to BJP or Congress as the new party was formed as an alternative to them:
Have been an #AAP supporter. What irks, pre-election they declared they will not take /give support to BJP/Cong Why did they betray my trust
— Shamit Manchanda (@shamit) January 2, 2014
AAP sought public opinion after Congress supported most of its 18 points and offered to provide support to form a government and got a favorable response. “We are not a party, we are representatives of people,” maintains the party. In the past three weeks time, AAP has reportedly gained 500,000 new members and 300 offices around India and is aiming for the nationwide 2014 Lokshava elections.