Arvind Kejriwal will be

and the

will be a contest between him and Modi, says AAP leader

in an exclusive interview to

Ambika Pandit

Q. Opinion polls are suggesting the Congress’s collapse in these elections. You’ve been a pollster. Do you agree?

Q. What does that mean?

Q. Really? AAP as an alternative to BJP nationally? Despite the BJP offering Narendra Modi as PM and Congress Rahul Gandhi?

Q. So, who is your Prime Ministerial candidate?

Q. But seriously, how will AAP counter the candidature of Modi?

Q. What are these issues?

A. Congress is becoming increasingly irrelevant for the election battle in 2014. I am not saying that the Congress is disappearing. It is a large party and has a presence across states. Our reading is that there is enormous anger — disappointment will be a mild word – against it. So the people have decided to vote them out. In that sense Congress is increasingly irrelevant. People want change but the question is would they settle for a substitute or want an alternative. Substitute versus alternative is the real battle in this election.A. It is natural that if the choices are few, people will go for the first available substitute. This is what has happened in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in the assembly polls. But the Delhi results have shown that once people are given not just a substitute but an alternative, then a substantial section will go for the alternative. Today, when the Congress is being marginalized, there are substantial sections of Indians who would not want to go for a substitute. This section includes idealistic youth who would not wish to go back to one more party that does business as usual. The poor and disadvantaged simply do not relate to the BJP as a party. Also the Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims are looking for an alternative as they do not have reasons to trust the BJP. In such a scenario the Aam Aadmi Party sees itself as providing that alternative.A. We have repeatedly said that it will be a tragedy for the country if people have to choose between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi as PM.A. We will fight the election under Arvind Kejirwal’s leadership. The only reason why we have not very aggressively projected his name as PM candidate is based on a certain political assessment as to where we stand right now. If we see AAP is in a position to stake serious claims, we will float the name, go public about the claims. Otherwise there is no doubt, whether he contests the Lok Sabha or not, we are fighting the election under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership.A. We have decided to take on the BJP and Modi frontally. To begin with by consistently asking questions that have not been asked in the public domain. Perhaps the Congress doesn’t feel it is in a position to ask these questions. We will raise certain issues. We will use the social media platform which is a big platform now. We will raise these issues and go to the streets demanding answers. Modi is after all seeking to be PM of India so the questions will have to be raised everywhere across India.A. One of them is criminality. How come Modi continues to have in his cabinet ministers who have been convicted? While lots of questions have been asked about Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti’s finger (he had raised his finger at the police threateningly during a midnight raid at Khirki Extension), what about the conviction of Babulal Bokharia? How come Amit Shah continues to be Modi’s closest lieutenant…someone who faces cases of murder and kidnapping? These are not trivial accusations. What kind of security will this party provide to the "aam aadmi"?We will also raise the issue of corruption by demanding to know what exactly is the relationship between Modi and the Adani Group and why has it prospered during his regime. How come the Gujarat government gave away lots of land to industries at some very concessional price, although it was unwilling to give similar concessions to Indian Air Force and Kargil widows?Why are BJP and Modi, who are quick to pick on Congress on every small thing, silent on the biggest scam in recent times involving gas pricing which is done by the Congress government. Where does Modi stand on this issue of gas pricing…why does he not have an opinion on this? Should Ambani and Reliance be allowed to dictate prices? We want Modi to answer this. We will also raise the conflict in Gujarat over the Lokayukta and how the CM has been trying to prevent it.