Gandhi’s Grandson Stands For Parliament
The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi is standing for election in India.An
author, historian and research professor at the University of Illinois,
Rajmohan Gandhi is in India trying to woo the 1.6 million voters in his
East Delhi constituency.
The 79-year-old’s grandfather is considered the father of the nation
credited with bringing freedom to India.
This is reiterated by his supporters and the man himself wherever he
goes.Unlike Mahatma, who was associated with the Indian National
Congress Party during the freedom struggle, Rajmohan Gandhi is
representing the Aam Aadmi Party, which translates to the common man’s
party.
On the campaign trail he told Sky News: “The national movement that
Mahatma Gandhi led and today’s Congress Party are two distinct
organisations.”When I saw a large number of young people sacrificing
their time and money and risking a good deal to try and fight the demon
of corruption at a time when everybody was surrendered to corruption,
everybody surrendered to the power of big money, this new thing was
emerging in India and I felt it was my duty to lend them a hand.”
The Aam Aadmi Party has its genesis in the anti-corruption movement
started by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal in 2011.Mr Kejriwal broke
away to launch Aam Aadmi in November 2012. He wanted to fight the system
from within to make meaningful change.
The party’s crusade against corruption, which in India is endemic and
pervades every section of society, made them enormously popular.Aam
Aadmi had a stunning debut in the state elections in Delhi and formed a
49-day government. But because they were unable to pass the
anti-corruption bill, Mr Kejriwal withdrew his government.Unconventional
in its politics, its leaders and thousands of volunteers wear Gandhi
caps and take to the streets to be heard.
Their high-octane protests and door-to-door direct campaigns made
them fighters for the middle and lower classes.Mr Kejriwal, as Chief
Minister of Delhi, even filed a report with police over illegitimate
gains from gas prices against Mukesh Ambani, the head of Reliance
Industries and the richest man in India. He is worth approximately $20bn
(£12bn), according to Forbes.
Sky News
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