Kejriwal supporters to meet,talk party

The meetings in Pune,one on October 10 and another on October 21 — a state-level meet — are aimed at mainly gauging the response to the yet-to-be-named party.

On Tuesday,Kejriwal announced the launch of the party and called for a “dharam yudh”. He unveiled the party’s vision document which he said represented the “aam admi.” The party name is to be announced on November 26.

Some activists from the city,who attended the launch function in New Delhi sounded enthusiastic,while many were not so thrilled.

“We are with Arvind Kejriwal. There is need for a non-corrupt party to work for people and not base its existence on selfish motives,” said Maruti Bhapkar from Pimpri-Chinchwad,who had been “specially” invited by Kejriwal to the launch function. Kejriwal had presented Bhapkar before the crowd and spoke about the concept of ward sabha implemented by Bhapkar in Mohannagar when he was corporator. “It was a novel concept implemented under any civic body in city areas in Maharashtra. Kejriwal told me I would be responsible for spreading the concept of ward sabhas in Maharashtra,” he said.

He said the October 10 meeting will give them an idea of the response to Kejriwal’s party. “We will contact activists in Pimpri-Chinchwad,Pune city and rural areas. We will invite the likes of Vijay Kumbhar,Vivek Velenkar,Jugal Rathi,Prashant Inamdar,” he said.

Activist Subhash Ware from Hadapsar,who had also attended the launch function said the October 10 and October 21 meetings assume significance as it would give an accurate feedback. Unlike Bhapkar and Ware several activists in the city seemed not too enthused. “I will not join any political party. Although I attended a meeting convened by Kejriwal about 10 days back,my stand is clear,” Vijay Kumbhar said.

Activist Jugal Rathi of the PMP Pravasi Manch said,“I will wait until things become clear. I will continue to be with Anna…”

Activist Vivek Velenkar said,“I haven’t even thought about it. Let them first contact me,I will see what to do.”