Interview/ Somnath Bharti, AAP candidate, new delhi
Somnath Bharti, the three-time MLA from Malviya Nagar, is one of the four candidates announced by the Aam Aadmi Party after an alliance with the Congress in Delhi. Bharti, who is contesting from the New Delhi constituency, is banking on his work as MLA to win over the voters. In an interview with THE WEEK, he says he has been “available, accountable and answerable to everyone beyond religion, caste, regionalism and party affiliations.” Excerpts:
Q/ New Delhi will vote on May 25. How are the preparations going on?
A/ For the AAP and the INDIA bloc, the dividing line was March 21, the day Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. The entire paradigm got shifted. After that, no one is asking any questions because a three-time popular chief minister―who took a political party from nowhere to national status in just 10 years―was arrested without any evidence.
The first phase of voting has given the nation an understanding that the era of Narendra Modi is over. Look at unemployment, inflation, and what happened in Manipur. Other than rhetoric, nothing else has been delivered on the ground.
Q/ You are facing Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj.
A/ Modi says he wants to defeat dynastic politics. What is this? There is a sea of difference between what the BJP says and what it does. I have done work in my assembly constituency selflessly. I am a first-generation lawyer and politician. The AAP has become the choice of even the upper class because of its work. I am available, accountable and answerable to everybody beyond religion, caste, regionalism and party affiliations. The fight is between kaamdaar (worker) vs naamdaar (dynast).
Q/ The AAP has an alliance with the Congress. What about the synergy between the two parties?
A/ The BJP has become a party that fuels fights. It spreads hatred. If it gets a third term, there will be no democracy left. That is why all those who are concerned about the country have come together. In Delhi, coordination committees are being formed. Every Congress candidate will be fully supported by the AAP cadre and vice-versa.
Q/ How is the AAP coping in Kejriwal's absence?
A/ It is unfortunate that he is in jail. Of course, we miss his physical presence. But, a conspiracy is being hatched against him. People tell me that even BJP workers are not happy with the way a chief minister is being mistreated. Everyone is conscious that voting must be done in the interest of democracy.
Q/ Many AAP members are leaving the party.
A/ The BJP’s washing machine and the Enforcement Directorate are on their jobs. I am a personal witness to the departure of [former minister] Raaj Kumar Anand. He was about to get arrested by the ED. Nobody is leaving willingly; they are under pressure from the ED.
Q/ Delhi is on the cusp of a constitutional crisis. Is governance taking a hit?
A/ Governance is taking a hit because of the unconstitutional interference of the BJP. In 2014, the Centre brought a notification and took away the services department from Delhi’s elected government. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the elected government. Eight days later, in complete insult to the Constitution and the mandate given by the people of Delhi, the BJP brought an ordinance that undid the Supreme Court judgment and took away the control of services. The BJP has been creating constitutional crises. Despite the severest of situations, we are trying to run the government efficiently. That is why people will choose a government that will fight for their rights and Delhi's statehood.