Even as activist turned politician (as seems to be the case with nearly every Aam Aadmi Party candidate) Mayank Gandhi prepares to fight his first election as a Mumbai Northwest candidate in the Lok Sabha elections, he continues to pursue the AAP brand of activism
One could ask him about the key issues that back his candidacy, but there has hardly been a confusion over the Aam Aadmi Party's agenda—be it now during the Lok Sabha elections, or when Arvind Kejriwal stepped down as Delhi's chief minister after failure to pass the Jan Lokpal.
“Price and corruption are key issues for everyone,” reiterates Mayank Gandhi. “But, people don't want to hear that anymore. They are tired of the existing power plays.”
So then what's your game? “We are here to change that. I'm not here to gain power, but I want to be a representative of the people, be their voice in the Legislative Assembly.”
Gandhi, an engineering and management graduate, was one of the founding members of the AAP. And while he has political experience with the Lok Satta party, Gandhi has a history of work in political reforms at the civic level. He also worked in his uncle's real estate business briefly, only to dissuaded by the corruption and the builder-politician nexus.
Yet, there is no denying that he faced tough competition in his constituency. The Congress' Gurudas Kamath has held the seat that Gandhi is now fighting for, for the last five terms. i.e. from 1984 onwards. But Gandhi is confident of his win. “Gurudas Kamath is not popular at all; hasn't visited his constituency once in his last term,” he alleges. “Nor has he adequately represented the people, and in all his last five years, he asked just one question in the parliament,” he adds.
“I'm confident that we can replicate 100% of AAP's Delhi success in our constituency. I campaigned in Delhi during the Assembly elections and I can safely say there is more ground support here than Delhi,” he says. Gandhi's confidence in the success of his campaign comes from his band of campaign volunteers, he explains. A group of youngsters who have put every resource effort behind the AAP candidate have been working with him before his “political days”.
His network of dedicated supporters is mostly a motelely crew of young professionals, activists, civic reformers and of the like. So, why do they back him so devotedly? Because he is one of them (an aam aadmi?). At one point, much before the AAP entered the scene, Gandhi, was already working with the people's group Jagruk Nagrik Manch in Mumbai to bring a local independent into power.
And this is exactly what he plans to offer to his constituency—micro governance. But can something like this work? “It’s not rocket science,” Gandhi had explained in an earlier interview with dna. “Decentralisation of power has been implemented across the world. We are working on funds, functions and functionaries. How much of funds should be given in a decentralised model? Who are the functionaries that work at that level? What are the functions that they should carry out?”
Gandhi even has grand plans for his constituency. He shares, “I plan to hold regular meeting with the people of my constituency,” he explains and we are reminded of the the AAP Jan Sabhas. “They will have the option to give me their views on on key issues, and that is what I will convey to the parliament.”
“Similarly, public briefing will be held post parliament sessions to update the constituency on the ongoings in the parliament and to seek follow up advise,” he adds.
He even has the expense of the MP fund figured out, “Of the Rs 5 crore of MP fund I will receive, I plan to divide it all within the 38 wards for whatever they may need it for, civic issues included. People will decide and they get everything,” he proclaims.
It mustn't have been easy though, the transition from an activist to being a politicians. “It's very different, activism and politics. But that is what we are here to change, the way politics is run and the way governance is conducted.”
But what about dirty politics? “Our battle is against dirty politics,” he answers. In a rather biblical conclusion, he says, “The battle is not between AAP or Congress or Shiv Sena; rather it is between the corrupt and the honest and against the forces that could ruin our nation.”
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