Arvind Kejriwal unveils political party

New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal launched a political party on Tuesday and said his party will enact an ombudsman law within 10 days if it comes to power.

Kejriwal said the formation of his party would mark a new chapter in the struggle against a “bribe-taking culture” and pledged to field candidates in the general election due in 2014.

“Our political party is first step in the right direction, the common man will soon become the law maker,” Kejriwal told AFP, after the launch in New Delhi.

The launch of the yet-unnamed party was announced on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The launch came days after social activist Anna Hazare distanced himself from a political alternative. Kejriwal, who launched his party among supporters in New Delhi, will anounce a name and a vision document for the party on 26 November.

A draft vision document released on Tuesday laid down a nine-point agenda, including direct rule by the public, removing corruption, leaving it to the public to determine the price of essential commodities, land acquisition according to the people’s wishes, education for all, right to reject and recall political leaders, and earning the right price for agricultural products.

“A corrupt politician will be put in jail for six months,” the draft says. Citizens can approach the election commission if they want to recall a lawmaker.

The draft document also seeks to prohibit an elected representative from the party to use facilities such as security cover, big government accommodation and giving a ticket to more than one person from the same family.

“If you think that the Congress party would give a future to this country, then you must vote for them. If you think the Bharatiya Janata Party will make this country corruption-free, then you must vote for them. But if you think that all these parties are the same, then you should join this political revolution,” a release from Kejriwal’s team said.

AFP contributed to this story.