'The BJP is nervous'

'With the victory in Maharashtra and Haryana, the question which needs to be asked is why the government was reluctant to share names of these people, because there is a possibility that they may have been funding the BJP's election campaign.'

The Aam Aadmi Party has been struggling to stay relevant after it quit office after just 49 days in power in Delhi.

It drew a blank in Delhi during the Lok Sabha election and the party has been struggling to find an issue that will push it back in the reckoning.

AAP's Delhi convener, former television journalist Ashutosh, says his party is raring to go to the polls in Delhi.

Ashutosh spoke with Rediff.com contributor Upasna Pandey:

The Supreme Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the BJP government on the black money issue. Considering this was a key issue for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, how does the AAP react to these developments?

The AAP's national convener Arvind Kejriwal has spoken of a list of 15 names which was disclosed at a press conference in November 2012 and only three of these names were shared by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

It was only after the Supreme Court showed its displeasure over the issue that the government was compelled to submit a list of 627 names. This exposes the BJP government's dishonest and non-transparent stance on this issue.

The people of India can clearly see that there is no difference between the BJP and the Congress, and both stand exposed.

The AAP has been fighting on the issue of corruption from the time of its creation and we will continue to go hammer and tong at this.

The slogan of 'Ab ki baar Modi sarkar' should be replaced with 'Ab ki baar fatkaar sarkar' given the way in which the government has been repeatedly pulled up by the Supreme Court on the black money issue.

With the victory in Maharashtra and Haryana, the question which needs to be asked is why the government was reluctant to share names of these people, because there is a possibility that they may have been funding the BJP's election campaign.

There is no difference in the arguments given by Jaitley and former finance minister P Chidambaram to the Supreme Court for not disclosing the names until now.

Despite its wins in Maharashtra and Haryana, the BJP is nervous about facing the electorate of Delhi because they know the AAP will make a comeback if elections are announced.

Do you think the issues for Delhi have changed since the last election?

I don't believe the issues which concern Delhiites have changed much. If we look at groceries and vegetable prices, the issue of law and order, corruption, or any other.

People have seen the AAP perform and now can see the BJP government's work, so there is clear disgruntlement.

We delivered on most of our promises during our 49 days of power in Delhi, so people know we can do that again.

The AAP has faced repeated attacks by its cadres over lack of internal democracy. What is being done to change this image? Would the party be willing to take back such leaders?

These are only rumours and baseless arguments. There are systems in place; we have discussions within the party to reach all important decisions, so there is no question of absence of democracy.

For example, the decision not to contest the Haryana and Maharashtra elections was widely debated in the National Election Committee and the Political Affairs Committee, and only then we arrived at a decision on this.

Anyone who has moved away from the party is an esteemed colleague and we would be open to welcome them back in the AAP fold.

It is acceptable to have difference of views in a democratic set-up, but everyone needs to understand that we should be realistic in our expectations from a party which is still young and is building its presence.

Would the party be focussing on Delhi and not spread itself across the country?

Delhi is, and it will always remain the focal point of the AAP's origin and presence. So yes, we will continue to remain focussed on Delhi.

But we already have a 'Mission Vistaar' where senior leaders are travelling extensively across states to build and establish network of volunteers and members.

Do you agree that the middle class voter is disappointed? Is there is a shift in voter base for the AAP?

Every party needs a strong social voter base, and so does AAP. I agree that there may have been a slight shift in our middle-class voter base, which may have moved towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom they saw as an alternative.

But things are changing in favour of the AAP as the BJP government is failing on many of its promises.

Also, a large number of Dalit and lower income group voters have joined the AAP cause and we feel assured of their growing support.

There is criticism of Arvind Kejriwal's radio messages where he seeks forgiveness from the people of Delhi for moving out of power.

We have a culture of forgiveness, and I believe if there is an honest and sincere attempt by a leader such as Kejriwal for his decision to quit as Delhi chief minister, which he believes may have upset the people, I don't see any harm in seeking forgiveness.