Delhi votes for a party that works, not for celebrities: AAP's Atishi

Widely credited for scripting a turnaround in the education sector in the capital, Atishi has now plunged into the electoral fray. On the sidelines of a party meet, the East Delhi AAP candidate speaks to Thirumoy Banerjee on issues the polls are being fought on. Edited excerpts:

 

You have said that your campaign started six months ago. Did you know that you would be the AAP’s pick from East Delhi?

The AAP had declared six persons as in-charges for six of the seven constituencies in Delhi, few months ago. The reason why we were not declared as candidates was because we were hoping for a pan-north Indian alliance with the Congress.

 

The two parties could not reach a consensus.

 

There remains a perception that the AAP continues to do a politics of naarebaazi. Is that a reason why your party couldn’t spread its wings beyond the capital?

The AAP does not do politics of agitation. The AAP is the first in Independent India that became a principal opposition party outside its home state in the very first election (Punjab).

 

You have Gambhir and his celebrity status staring at you.

We are standing in Krishna Nagar constituency. You may want to recall what happened here in 2015 (assembly elections). This was supposed to be the BJP’s safest seat and (AAP’s) SK Bagga handed a shock defeat to Kiran Bedi. People of Delhi are very sensible voters. They have never voted for celebrities. Rajesh Khanna could not win an election here, neither did Shatrughan Sinha. Even Manmohan Singh had to bite the dust here. The best thing about Delhi voters is that they vote for parties and on the basis of what work they have done.

 

The AAP has fielded only one woman candidate in Delhi, and that’s you. Your thoughts?

The presence of women in politics in India is often in a very low quantity. Given that the AAP is a new party, it would take time for more leaders to come up. 

But, doesn’t his entry make you nervous?

 

I have full faith in the people of Delhi. The best thing about the people here is that they vote for parties and on the basis of what work they have done. They never vote for individuals. I have been travelling the length and breadth of the constituency for six months, and if there is one party that resides in the heart of Delhiites, it is the Aam Aadmi Party.