New Delhi, November 24: Arvind Kejriwal's party was Saturday named 'Aam Admi Party' at a meeting of its founder members in New Delhi during which the constitution for the organisation was also adopted. The meeting of around 300 founder members was held at Constitution Club in New Delhi during which Kejriwal proposed the name of the party which was accepted by other members, sources said.
The constitution of the party was also adopted at the meeting. It was proposed by Mayank Gandhi and seconded by Chandramohan, they said.
The formation of the party came after a bitter split with Anna Hazare over the question of the anti-corruption movement taking a political plunge as Kejriwal desired.
During the August fast, Hazare and Kejriwal ended the agitation saying they will work for providing a political alternative for the country to fight both Congress and BJP.
However, both Hazare and Kejriwal announced parting of ways on September 19 following differences over forming a party with the former sticking to his position that the movement should remain apolitical.
On October two, Kejriwal announced the formation of the party saying its official launch will be on November 26, the day Constitution was adopted in 1949.
Ahead of the meeting, Kejriwal said on Saturday that common men, women, children are forming their party.
"They are not politicians. They are fed up of politicians. They are the people who are fed up of corruption and price rise. This is why the common man has decided to challenge them. Now the common man will sit in Parliament," he said.
"Party's vision is Swaraj. People should get the 'raj'. That vision will be finalised. 25-30 issues will be discussed which all issues need to be taken first by the party. Committees will be formed. They will make drafts in four-five months. There will discussions through the country," he said.
Activist Yogendra Yadav said that the party will have provisions against domination by one family.
The meeting also saw some disagreement among a section of workers who were not allowed to attend it. A group from Tamil Nadu was seen arguing with a party coordinator on why they were not accommodated.
Ahead of the meeting, Kejriwal tweeted that he would bring "poorn azadi" (complete freedom) for the common man and relief from high inflation.
"Main hoon Aam Aadmi. Main laoonga poorn azadi. (I am the common man, I will bring complete freedom)," went one post, while another said: "Main hoon Aam Aurat. Main door karungi mengai" (I am the common woman, I will wipe out inflation)".
Another tweet said "Main hoon Aam Aadmi. Main laoonga swaraj. (I am the common man, I will bring self rule)."
The India Against Corruption has released a document about the vision of Kejriwal's party and defined 'Swaraj' as people's self governance.
The document says: "This vision needs to be translated into specific policies after extensive and informed discussion. Embracing politics entails taking a position on all the major questions of our time. At the same time politics also mandates a duty to listen to all sides and to set up a dialogue with everyone concerned. We accept this responsibility in all humility. We shall take up all the major contested issues in the country and provide a platform for informed and open-minded dialogue with the people and especially, with the younger generation."
The party's documents also talk about the selection procedure of the new outfit. The party has proposed the first draft and invited public consultation from all.
"Party wud b founded tomo. 1st National Council meeting tomo. Launch ceremony at Jantar Mantar on Mon. All invited Mon to be part of history," Kejriwal tweeted on Friday evening.
In an interview to CNN IBN, Kejriwal said that the name of the political party would be revealed on Saturday.
"There is no high command. That's for sure. It will have a very democratic structure but we will tell you tomorrow (Saturday)," Kejriwal said while responding to CNN IBN reporter's questions on Friday.
Kejriwal said on Friday that the party will be formally launched on November 26 at Jantar Mantar.
"More than 300 people (The first members of the party) from different parts of the country will get together on Saturday to adopt the constitution and decide on the name of the party. The first national executive of the party will consist of roughly 30 people," said Kejriwal.
The office bearers of the party will have to submit party's framework and other formalities to the Election Commission for registration of the party's name.
It may take at least four months before the party is formally registered in their name and a symbol is allotted.
Replying to queries on the Aap Ki Adalat TV show, Kejriwal invited people to join his party in large numbers.
"Presently our experts are working on 30 different subjects to prepare a framework for the proposed political party. We will invite people's views on the draft framework soon," he said.
Kejriwal was noncommittal about contesting the forthcoming elections in Delhi, an India TV statement on Friday said.
His first reaction was "I won't contest".
He then corrected himself saying, "I don't know whether I will contest or not. My party will contest the elections."
'Team Anna may back Kejriwal's party'
Team Anna may support Arvind Kejriwal’s yet-to-be launched political party when elections come, member of the new Team Anna Kiran Bedi said in Hyderabad on Friday.
"We will support any honesty. Since he (Kejriwal) stands for promoting integrity, obviously he will be eligible for our support," she told reporters on the sidelines of the Indian School of Business (ISB) Leadership Summit-2013 on Friday.
She said that Team Anna has no differences with Kejriwal, saying that the activist-turned-politician has chosen the electoral way to fight corruption.
"There are no differences with Kejriwal. He wanted take the electoral route and we wanted to take the non-electoral route. It is his feeling that it is time to take the electoral route," she said.
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