Medha Patkar, Kamal Mitra Chenoy join AAP

Image
Press Trust of India Mumbai/New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 13 2014 | 7:42 PM IST
In a boost to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), social activist Medha Patkar today extended her "complete" support to the fledging party while left intellectual Kamal Mitra Chenoy joined it.
"We extend our complete support to Aam Aadmi Party. AAP has included fighting corruption in its agenda, while we have been fighting corruption through Adarsh (housing society scam) and Lavasa," Patkar told reporters in Mumbai.
"We have studied their (AAP's) documents and we have found that micro to macro-economic view point is more or less reflected into it. We will further continue with the dialogue and would like to contribute our views in not just the manifesto but also in the working culture and their working documents," the 59-year-old social activist said.
Patkar, known for her work in the Narmada Bachao Andolan, a movement that is fighting against the construction of large dams on Narmada river in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, also said that she would further announce the future course of action about the role she will play in AAP, after holding discussions with senior AAP leaders on January 16 and 17.
Attributing the work done by the movements led by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal on the Jan Lokpal Bill, she said, "The anti-corruption movement has really shown a way."
Slamming political parties for indulging in corruption, she said, "We do not consider electoral politics as untouchable."
"We see this party as part of our agenda. With dialogue and deliberations we have decided to support the AAP actively. Active support will be based on both ideological commonality and clarity," Patkar said.
In Delhi, senior leader Prashant Bhushan announced that Chenoy, a professor in School of International Studies in JNU, was joining the party and said this was a unique case as Chenoy was associated with CPI for 40 years before joining AAP.
"I have worked with Medha Patkar, worked on human rights issues in Manipur and also worked with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Politics has been made a game of money. We will fight for the common man," Chenoy said adding many other professors from the JNU may join the party.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 13 2014 | 7:42 PM IST

Next Story