AAP launch campaign

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 12: Ahead of 2018 Meghalaya assembly elections, the Arvin Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party (AAP) in the state today formally launched its ‘Campaign for Transformation’ to ensure a “corruption free” government.

The qualification of a candidate and changing people’s view on use of money power were some of the objectives of the campaign which will be spearheaded across the state.

Announcing the launch of the campaign on Monday, AAP legal cell secretary Peter A Dohkrut said, “We are here today to proclaim to the people that we are ready to serve the state on the basis of true principles of democracy.”

He said the campaign is to appeal to the people of the state for their support in bringing a people’s government, free the state from corruption, ensure accountability and transparency, governance with competency and others.

Stating that the AAP is preparing to put up qualified people to contest the upcoming state polls, Dohkrut said, “We feel that the minimum qualification for a candidate to be eligible to contest elections should be a graduate.”

He was referring to the some of the elected representatives in the state legislatures who are incompetent because of lack of educational qualification.

“It is an irony that we are still electing MLAs who are not even qualified to teach in primary schools to the Assembly to make law for the people. Are we not fooling ourselves,” the AAP leader questioned.

Dohkrut, however, refused to comment on the performances of the women ministers and legislators of the state saying “it is not the right time”.

Admitting that changing people’s mindset is a challenging task, Dohkrut however said, “The people of Meghalaya have to wake up because there is an urgent need for the society to fight corruption,” adding “Our words are not vain promises, we don’t only point out the problem but we also have solutions.”

He said the message of the campaign is – “Please don’t sell yourself (people) cheaply, no one will give you for free. A person who buys you with money he will also sell you for money”.

Asked as to why the party did not fielding any candidates for the district council bye-elections, Dohkrut said that the party feels that it is too early but maintained that the target now is preparing for the 2018 state elections.

AAP state general secretary W Lapang said that the party is already forming its units in many districts of the state. “We have grown but yet to fully mature,” he said while informing that over 10, 000 pamphlets have been printed for reaching out to the masses as part of the campaign.