Aam Aadmi Party Odisha unit launched

The Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched its Odisha unit at Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

At a colourful function, the AAP was launched in Lower PMG, the party members celebrated the launch of ninth State unit of AAP holding National Flag and photographs of party’s founder Arvind Kejriwal.

Addressing a public meeting marking AAP leader Nishikant Mohapatra said the party will field candidates in all Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the coming 2014 elections.

“The party units are launched in States where its base has been strengthened. Everyone present at the launching ceremony is a party member,” Nishikant said. AAP national executive member Ajit Jha was also present.

Mohapatra said fund collection and its spending will be transparent, there will be no family politics and 50% reservation for women. The district units will pick up local issues on their own.

AAP national executive member Ajit Jha said the new party will break the culture of money and muscle power. “We are often asked if there was need for another political party as all are pursuing the same thing. AAP will be very different. No two persons from a family will be given party positions or tickets to contest elections. All donations and expenses of the party will be available online. There would be internal Lokpals for grievance redressals,” he said.

Till date, 17 district committees of the party have been formed. Mohapatra said the party has started identifying local issues. An important rule of the party is that two persons from one family will not be given ticket for contesting election or holding party post. On the occasion, Odia translation of Kejriwal’s book ‘Swaraj’ was released.