BJP won because Congress was weak but this will change: AAP's Ashok Tanwar

Ashok Tanwar, former Congress chief explains why AAP has failed to make inroads into the state despite trying since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and why it will win in the next Assembly elections

Ashok Tanwar, former chief of the Congress in Haryana, is tasked with establishing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state. Since joining AAP, Tanwar has been on a mission to expand the party’s cadre. In an interview with Nitin Kumar, he explains why AAP has failed to make inroads into the state despite trying since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and why it will win in the next Assembly elections. Edited excerpts:

You left the Congress in 2019 after your removal from the Pradesh Congress Committee chief’s position in Haryana. Since then, you have supported the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, respectively. You also created your own outfit — Apna Bharat Morcha. In 2021 you joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). What made you choose AAP?

I served the Congress for almost 28 years. Over the years, I proved how I could contribute but at last, I was removed. Nothing is permanent in this world. But the way the Congress is now working, it has become the party of blackmailers and corrupt leaders.

Local Congress leaders are hobnobbing with the BJP, and the top leadership knows that. The G23 group of Congress, which is called the gaddar (betrayer) group, is in an indirect alliance with the BJP. There is chaos and factionalism, and no organisation. Nobody is bothered about it (organisation).

Then, I supported those who I felt in the days to come will take care of the interests of the people of Haryana. They were also the victims of the family infighting (INLD and JJP). I worked during the pandemic and farmers’ protests with my non-political platform Apna Bharat Morcha.

Later on, I joined the Trinamool, but for five months nothing happened in Haryana. I did not want to waste my time because I had to fight those who were in cahoots with the billionaires for whom debts are waived and policies are formulated.

Today, the BJP leadership says they are providing food to 850 million people but the question is: Why? Had we empowered them, the number of BPL (below the poverty line) families would not have increased.

The AAP model has many freebies. Then what is the difference between AAP’s model and the BJP model?

The difference is that the BJP’s promises are election-centric, but AAP talks about education, health, employment, and development along with free relief. Today, Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi chief minister) is the only person who can fight in this environment where government institutions, the media, and Central agencies are under government pressure.

You are one of the most prominent faces among the Dalits in Haryana. Do you think you’ll be able to draw them to AAP?

Babasaheb (Ambedkar) talked about casteless society and we are working to achieve his vision. AAP, while breaking the barriers of caste, creed, region, religion, and language, wants to create a new vision. But we will fight for the marginalised for their dues. So, I don’t think there is any need for strategy.

But caste is a very important factor in Haryana. Why is this irrelevant?

Caste is an important factor, but who created it? AAP’s politics and ideology are inclusive and this is one of the reasons wherever it enters it sweeps. In Haryana too, all 36 baradaris (communities) will support AAP. The BJP was able to win because the Congress was weak but this will not be the case in future.

 AAP has been contesting election in Haryana since 2014 but has failed to woo voters. Why do you think that AAP will become a force in the coming days?

AAP was a new party with a new narrative, which had to present its new model. The concept’s proof is important. Punjab accepted its Delhi model. Soon, Haryana will also demand that. This didn’t happen earlier because people like me had been fighting against it (AAP). Now we will prove this in local body elections.

There is no love lost between you and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. What if he too joins AAP?

We are going to play on our strengths, not only the enemy’s weaknesses. Instead of discussing these things we should discuss empowering people.

Will any big name join the party in the coming days?

AAP does not need big names. This is a party of the common man.