Aam Aadmi Party`s stunning rise from Oct 2012 to Dec 2013

Zee Media Bureau/Tarun Khanna New Delhi: After surprising many with its unexpected emergence, Aam Aadmi Party prepares to form government in Delhi. The one-year old party has given a taste of defeat to many political honchos. Although its longevity still remains uncertain, the party hopes to put up another spectacular show in future. Here`s how the party blossomed in a year. In October 2012, on Gandhi Jayanti, convenor of AAP Arvind Kejriwal had announced the decision to form a political party in Delhi. Within a span of one month, the party got its name `Aam Aadmi Party`. The party was widely criticised for splitting from Anna Hazare. Kejriwal and his team pledged to uproot corruption from the system. It raised many issues which drew the attention of common people. Throughout 2013, AAP rallies were held across the nation`s capital. The party succeeded in gathering massive support. Moreover, it reached its goal to accumulate Rs 20 crore donation to fight elections. In November 2013 the opinion polls projected AAP to be a mere vote cutter. On December 4 2013, Delhi went to elections while breaking the record with 67 percent voters turnout. On December 8, AAP emerged as the second largest party by winning 28 seats. However, as BJP, with 32 seats (including Akali Dal), refused to form the government citing lack of clear majority, the ball was in AAP`s court. On December 13, the Congress, with 8 seats in the Delhi election, submitted a letter of unconditional support for AAP to the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung. With suspicion in mind about Congress` intention to offer unconditional support, on December 14 AAP laid down 18 conditions for the Congress and the BJP for working with it. The party also sought ten days` time from the LG to decide on forming the government. After four days, AAP announced that it will go for public opinion on whether it should form a government with Congress or not. Later on December 21, Congress refused for unconditional support, but to provide issue-based support. BJP, on the other hand, did not respond. Taking a move towards its success, AAP decided to form the government in Delhi on December 22. On December 23, Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Governor and confirmed his decision to sworn-in as Delhi`s seventh Chief Minister at Ramlila Maidan where the party began its crusade against corruption.