Interview/ Sandeep Pathak, Aam Aadmi Party leader
Sandeep Pathak, the Aam Aadmi Party’s national general secretary in charge of organisation, was instrumental in leading his party to victory in Punjab in 2022. “No one should play politics over issues like farmers’ protest,” he says. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ Punjab is an AAP stronghold. What is your strategy in the state?
A/ Our strategy is very clear. We will talk about the work that has been done ever since the Bhagwant Mann government took over. We will explain how we managed to give the people free electricity, how their irrigation system was improved, and schools and hospitals became better. We will ask for votes on the basis of the work we have done. Besides, we will tell people about the way the Central government is holding back Rs8,000 crore that belongs to Punjab.
Q/ You are going it alone in Punjab and has allied with the Congress in Delhi. Is there a difference in strategies in both the states?
A/ The main strategy is to keep the BJP from forming government. And we will do whatever it takes to do that. Of course, for different states we have devised different strategies…. The BJP’s hatred is not limited to Arvind Kejriwal, but is spilling over to the people of Delhi and Punjab.
Q/ Any specific reason why the farmers’ protest was not as impactful in 2024 as it was in 2021?
A/ Issues like farmers’ protest and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act are very sensitive. No party should play politics over such issues. The BJP’s culture has been to bring such matters to the forefront during elections and fight on their basis. Such issues should be discussed threadbare with all stakeholders, and decisions should be taken based on what is right and wrong. Had the Union government handled the issue with an open mind and heart, there would have been a solution. On both occasions, the government came down heavily on farmers. This is not acceptable.