Congress objects to 'aam aadmi' in Kejriwal's party

Arvind Kejriwal named his new political outfit the Aam Aadmi Party at a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday of around 300 founder members, a supporter said. The Congress objected to the name saying "aam aadmi" was its plank.

Arvind Kejriwal named his new political outfit the Aam Aadmi Party at a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday of around 300 founder members, a supporter said. The Congress objected to the name saying "aam aadmi" was its plank.

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The member, who did not wish to be named, said the party's name was proposed by activist Mayank Gandhi and Chandramohan.

The Congress objected to the choice of the party's name, saying the slogan of "aam aadmi" has long been linked to the Congress.

"The 'aam aadmi' has been synonymous with the Congress party since 1885. Nobody can hijack the intrinsic relation between Congress and the 'aam aadmi'," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said.

In reply to the claims made by the Congress, Kejriwal said that Congress' hand was never with the aam aadmi of the country.

He tweeted: "Congress ka haath kabhi bhi aam aadmi ke saath nahin tha. Lekin ab Congress ye jhooth kehna bhi band kar degi."

"We will form a national executive for running the party and also discuss some 25-30 important issues," he said.

Through several tweets since morning, Kejriwal said he was a common man and that he would bring "swaraj", "poorn azadi" (complete independence), control price rise and implement Jan Lokpal.

He also invited people to Jantar Mantar Monday to join his party during its official launch.

"Please come on 26 Nov to Jantar Mantar. All those who become members on that day would be treated as founding members," he tweeted.