AAP likely to field IIT graduate against YSRC chief

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) is most likely to field IIT graduate and social worker Kiran Kumar Vissa against YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. The name has almost been finalised by the party based on the credentials of Mr Kiran, said a party source.

“Given the profile, he is the most suitable candidate in party’s view. This apart, Mr. Kiran has a good track record of indulging in social work which established ideal connections with people and NGOs here,” said the source who is a key party member in Andhra Pradesh.

When asked about his likely contest against Jagan, Mr. Kiran, and IIT-Madras product, said he was ready to take on anyone in the State. “We are trying to break the vicious political culture where leaders are indulging in corruption in mega scale and flaunting illegal wealth. Look at Gali Janardhana Reddy’s golden throne, multi-storied building of T.G. Venkatesh and allegations on Jagan. People are frustrated with present set of leaders. Regarding my contest against him, it’s up to the party to decide.”

Mr. Kiran, who has been an active NRI member of AID India since ‘90s, returned from US to work with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. Apparently, he is an active member of a group of NRIs who formed the initial rule book prepared by Kejriwal in the US around 2005-06. He worked as an engineer, mobile telecommunications, with Hughes Communications, U.S. before returning to India. Interestingly, Mr Kiran says that the response from people for the anti-corruption crusade was overwhelming. “We are surprised at the way people responded in a place like Kadapa. Four out of 10 were very positive about the AAP out there. It could be a different terrain compared to Delhi but the response was unexpectedly positive,” he said.

The party will contest 15 Lok Sabha and 100 Assembly constituencies in the State. The campaign will be focused on suspiciously high poll expenditure of the leaders, corruption and much needed change according to him. “It’s so sad that many leaders are spending over Rs 10 crore for Assembly polls. In contrast, our spend will be less than Rs 28 lakh allowed by the Election Commision,” he asserted.