There has been a series of discussions between Lok Satta Party and Aam
Aadmi Party for the past few months regarding the terms of working
together. Today, Jayaprakash Narayan and some of our party leaders went to New Delhi to again speak with Arvind Kejriwal and his party leaders about this. I can say that the talks have been inconclusive
so far and engagement will continue further. There are two options for
LSP and AAP if they have to work together: 1) Creatively draw out a plan
of engagement that can even be a pre-poll alliance or strategically not
fighting against each other or help each other in other ways 2) Merge
LSP and AAP
As of now, AAP is publicly stating that they favor merger. LSP is not in favor of merger as of now.
Why I am against Lok Satta Party merging with Aam Aadmi Party as of now:
1) There are early days for AAP and the rate of tripping over (losing trust of people by committing grave execution mistakes unintentionally, etc.) is still high. It is always good to have more than one party on "clean politics platform" so that if one party loses the trust of the people, the other party can carry forward the agenda of clean politics. Please note that safeguarding the "clean politics platform" is very important.
2) AAP has not formulated policies for many issues, as it is still very young. LSP has developed many solid policies over the years. So, many know what LSP stands for but no one knows what AAP stands for on many issues. Let AAP take a stand on various issues in coming months so that LSP can engage with AAP on those issues.
3) There are many economic, national security and national identity issues where LSP and AAP do not agree with. For example, LSP supports FDI in retail while AAP opposes it. LSP wants to see how this position of AAP on such issues will evolve. However, these issues are not deal-breakers though important.
LSP and AAP have lot of things to learn from each other. Let us work together without hurting each other. Let us together strengthen the "clean politics platform". We can consider the issue of merger at a later date, definitely not before 2014 General Elections.
As of now, AAP is publicly stating that they favor merger. LSP is not in favor of merger as of now.
Why I am against Lok Satta Party merging with Aam Aadmi Party as of now:
1) There are early days for AAP and the rate of tripping over (losing trust of people by committing grave execution mistakes unintentionally, etc.) is still high. It is always good to have more than one party on "clean politics platform" so that if one party loses the trust of the people, the other party can carry forward the agenda of clean politics. Please note that safeguarding the "clean politics platform" is very important.
2) AAP has not formulated policies for many issues, as it is still very young. LSP has developed many solid policies over the years. So, many know what LSP stands for but no one knows what AAP stands for on many issues. Let AAP take a stand on various issues in coming months so that LSP can engage with AAP on those issues.
3) There are many economic, national security and national identity issues where LSP and AAP do not agree with. For example, LSP supports FDI in retail while AAP opposes it. LSP wants to see how this position of AAP on such issues will evolve. However, these issues are not deal-breakers though important.
LSP and AAP have lot of things to learn from each other. Let us work together without hurting each other. Let us together strengthen the "clean politics platform". We can consider the issue of merger at a later date, definitely not before 2014 General Elections.
