PANAJI
While the Congress, last month, sought divine interventionto prevent its flock of would-be MLAs from slipping over to the BJP, the AamAadmi Party has preferred to opt for a 'legal' route to stem the tide ofcrossovers from the party after elections.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji on Wednesday, AAPconvener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the party made itscandidates in Goa, as against Punjab and Uttarakhand, to sign on swornaffidavits because the issue of defection is particular to Goa, where thescourge had reached "world-record" proportions.
“Goa’s politics is such that it has a history of defections.I think it must be a world record that 15 of the 17 elected MLAs of one partyswitch sides to another. This pledge is a legal document and if any of ourcandidates go against this pledge they can be prosecuted for breach of trustand swearing a false oath,” the Delhi CM said.
All AAP candidates posed with the signed affidavits at themedia briefing conducted by the AAP national convenor.
Kejriwal is in Goa to oversee the party's election campaignin the poll-bound state.
The Delhi CM said that all 39 candidates, who have beenfielded by the party, would be signing a formal pledge of honesty in their workand assure that they would not be quitting the AAP to join another politicaloutfit if and when elected as legislators.
“We have chosen all good candidates -- based on who is cleanand honest. We have chosen them well, yet we have felt the need for thisaffidavit because not only should you be honest, but you should also be seen ashonest. People have to be reassured (that) If I work dishonestly or change myparty you can file a case against me,” Kejriwal said.
To a question about the Congress party also making itscandidates take an oath in front of deities across religions, Kejriwalsuggested that in a democracy "the people are God."
Citing the case of Goa, where the scourge of defectionsscaled new heights over the last five years, Kejriwal said that there was aneed to strengthen the anti-defection laws in the country.
“Anti defection laws need to be strengthened in India.Especially in the case of Goa. If an MLA wants to defect for reasons of'defection' then they need to go back to the people. This is a confidence-buildingmeasure that we are giving you in writing that we will not change. Today we arethe only party that is bringing a statement of oath before the people,”Kejriwal said.
