TV journalist Ashutosh has joined Aam Aadmi Party
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has gained another high-profile entrant in Ashutosh, a leading face of Indian television who quit as editor of a news network today.
"I never thought politics was clean. AAP has given a new vision," he said today, asserting that contesting the upcoming national election was not his priority.
Reports suggested his move was precipitated by an impression that his inclination towards the AAP reflected in his reportage. Responding to criticism, the journalist told NDTV, "As an editor I should be fair. But every one as a human being has some inclination, because of our socio-economic background. So somewhere my interests may have crept up. I don't deny that. But yes, as a professional I know that I should maintain neutrality. If any idea was dear to me I was never shy of expressing it."
The senior editor added that it was important to cleanse India of corruption if it aspired to be a superpower.
Ashutosh is the first prominent journalist to join the queue of professionals knocking at AAP's door after the year-old party's dazzling debut in the Delhi assembly election.
Social activist Medha Patkar has also been approached by the party but she is yet to announce any decision. Ms Patkar became an influential voice in the tribal and rural belt of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat with her campaign for the rights of people displaced by the Sardar Sarovar dam project.
On Wednesday, dancer-activist Mallika Sarabhai announced that
she is joining the AAP. Banker Meera Sanyal, Captain Gopinath who created Air Deccan, Infosys board member V Balakrishnan and singer Remo Fernandez are other big names to join the new party.
Riding on a massive wave against endemic corruption, Mr Kejriwal's party is all set to launch its campaign for the Lok Sabha polls due by May. From tomorrow to January 26, it will conduct a national membership drive called 'Main Bhi Aam Aadmi.'