Kejriwal`s party envisions direct rule of people

People were fed up of corruption and were coming together to change the politics of the country, activist Arvind Kejriwal said Tuesday shortly before launching his political party.

New Delhi: Direct rule of the people, fighting corruption and eliminating price rise will be the focus of the political party being started by Arvind Kejriwal and other activists, a vision document for the party said. The document comes as Kejriwal, along with other colleagues of the erstwhile Team Anna, is set to announce his political party.

"It is a big day for the common people. They are fed up of corrupt politicians and rising prices and are coming together to change the politics of the country," Kejriwal ,donning a Gandhi cap with "Mein hoon aam admi, mujhe chahiye Janlokpal" (I am common man, I want Jan Lokpal) printed on it, told reporters shortly before he started a meeting with other activists Tuesday. The vision document terms the decision to launch a party as the "quest for swaraj (self rule) - from subjecthood to citizenship". It also seeks establishment of a Janlokpal, and electoral reforms to "eliminate role of money and muscle power" from elections. "Citizens must be consulted on any decision that affects their livelihood. Broad ranging and fundamental administrative, police and judicial reforms need to be initiated so that the interface of common citizen with public functionaries is not marked by bribes, delay and indignity," said the document. "All public functionaries should be made accountable to people. Private monopoly on natural resources would not be allowed," it said. "This is just a trailer. Once the party is launched, the full picture will be seen," activist and key member Yogendra Yadav said referring to the document. Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, and Manish Sisodia were the other key members present. The vision document is, however, to be edited after more consultations, Manish Sisodia said. Name for the new party will be announced Nov 26, on constitution day. Kejriwal, who was among the key members to draft anti-graft legislation for formation of Lokpal, announced launch of his political party recently, resulting in a rift with Anna Hazare, the face of the campaign. He reiterated that there was no rift between them. Discussing his political outfit, Kejriwal said: "People will give us money - they will campaign, they will fight the elections." He said the party would contest assembly elections in Delhi next year. Replying to a question on Hazare supporting the outfit, Kejriwal said: "It is a test for us. If we put up good candidates, Anna will support." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the move, saying all Indians had the right to contest elections. "There are so many political parties and it is good they are floating a party. All citizens have the right to form a party and contest elections," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain. IANS