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You contested as an independent last time. What prompted you to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)? When did the idea first strike?
I first met Arvind Kejriwal at a TiE event in May 2013, where both of us were invited as speakers on “political entrepreneurship”. His idealism, integrity and courage were inspiring. My husband Ashish and I also spent some time campaigning with him in Najafgarh (in Delhi), and the response he was receiving from the villages we campaigned in was remarkable.
Share with us details of the precise role you'll play and in what capacity you are joining the party.
I am joining the party as a member. I look forward to contributing to the formulation of AAP’s economic policy and manifesto.
We've seen a string of corporate faces joining politics, particularly the AAP. What is it that's prompting India Inc to take a plunge?
I believe this is a very positive development. Up to very recently Politics in India was considered a dirty business - and therefore people with ideals, integrity and competence eschewed it. India needs good leaders and honest and competent administrators - and we have several such talented people in the corporate sector. Their entry into Politics is a very healthy and encouraging sign.
How do you respond to skepticism that those like you or Nilekani or V Balakrishnan, far removed from mainstream politics and the problems of people at the lower end of society, will find it extremely hard to deal with the on ground realities, that good actors or good business people do not necessarily make good politicians?
Speaking for myself, through the Microfinance projects that I mentored, my bank financed over 650,000 women entrepreneurs in rural India. Our sustainable livelihoods projects provided entrepreneurial skills to over 75,000 women in forest and remote tribal areas. Over the past two years I have travelled by trains and buses to over 120 villages across 15 states to meet these women and have lived with them in their homes. What I have learnt, is that the people of India are very hardworking, entrepreneurial, honest and innovative - but sadly our political leadership does not reflect these qualities. For those who are skeptical, all I would say is that it is time for a new paradigm in politics and for clean and competent governance. Good business people can and should be part of this change.
What's your view on AAP's economic policies? Its critics say they are a continuation of Congress's dole-a-nomics. How would you, as someone who's been at the epicenter of a free market system reconcile with their ideas on free water and subsidised electricity?
AAPs draft National Economic Policy and manifesto is under preparation, and has involved consultation with several stakeholders. From what I have seen, the policies are pragmatic and favour enterprise & education and focus on decentralized local governance and grass roots accountability - all of which I entirely agree with. I believe markets function freely only when competition flourishes and there is a level playing field. Crony capitalism and corruption distort markets.
In the matter of the electricity subsidy in Delhi, the AAP Delhi government believe that expenses have been grossly exaggerated by the electricity distributor, and that meters are faulty, leading to high (and incorrect) tariffs and that once corrected, tariffs will decrease across the board. The planned audit of the electric company will prove this.
We saw AAP making a spectacular debut in Delhi. Do you see that momentum and success being replicated in a city like Mumbai where the perception is that people are more apathetic?
Corruption and poor governance affect all of us, irrespective of where we live. The spectacular debut of AAP in Delhi has sent a message of hope throughout the country that people with ideals and integrity can win elections. I am confident that this time, the people of Mumbai will come out and vote in large numbers.
How has politics changed in the five years since your first attempt at entering public life? Has the space for right thinking, honest individuals widened? The last time you won under 2% of the votes.
Yes the space for right thinking, honest individuals has widened especially as our young people are now demanding change from the old venal way of doing politics.
From occupying the corner office as a high profile banker to now possibly campaigning in the heat and dust of politics, how do you see life changing? Is it a big risk?
This is a path I have chosen, because I really believe it is time for each of us to take stand. India is at a tipping point and the choices we make now - as individuals or as a nation will have very far reaching consequences.
Is this shift now permanent or do you see yourself going back to banking sometime in the future?
My banking career is now behind me. I have committed to spend the rest of my life to the service of our nation.
Lastly, will you contest for a Lok Sabha seat again? How will you do things differently given your learnings from last time? Are you working on a strategy?
Yes I would like to do so. Now as a member of AAP, I will go through their candidate selection process, and be working along with the team on strategy.
