Gandhi's Grandson Stands For Parliament

By Neville Lazarus, Sky News Producer, Delhi

The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi is standing for election in India.

An author, historian and research professor at the University of Illinois, Rajmohan Gandhi is in India trying to woo the 1.6 million voters in his East Delhi constituency.

The 79-year-old's grandfather is considered the father of the nation credited with bringing freedom to India. 

This is reiterated by his supporters - and the man himself - wherever he goes.

Unlike Mahatma, who was associated with the Indian National Congress Party during the freedom struggle, Rajmohan Gandhi is representing the Aam Aadmi Party, which translates to the common man's party.

On the campaign trail he told Sky News: "The national movement that Mahatma Gandhi led and today's Congress Party are two distinct organisations.

"When I saw a large number of young people sacrificing their time and money and risking a good deal to try and fight the demon of corruption at a time when everybody was surrendered to corruption, everybody surrendered to the power of big money, this new thing was emerging in India and I felt it was my duty to lend them a hand."

Rajmohan's grandfather is credited with bringing freedom to India

The Aam Aadmi Party has its genesis in the anti-corruption movement started by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal in 2011.

Mr Kejriwal broke away to launch  Aam Aadmi in November 2012. He wanted to fight the system from within to make meaningful change.

The party's crusade against corruption, which in India is endemic and pervades every section of society, made them enormously popular.

Aam Aadmi had a stunning debut in the state elections in Delhi and formed a 49-day government. But because they were unable to pass the anti-corruption bill, Mr Kejriwal withdrew his government.

Unconventional in its politics, its leaders and thousands of volunteers wear Gandhi caps and take to the streets to be heard. Their high-octane protests and door-to-door direct campaigns made them fighters for the middle and lower classes.

Mr Kejriwal, as Chief Minister of Delhi, even filed a report with police over illegitimate gains from gas prices against Mukesh Ambani, the head of Reliance Industries and the richest man in India. He is worth approximately $20bn (£12bn), according to Forbes.

Arvind Kejriwal set up the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012

Aam Aadmi has attracted bankers, lawyers, corporate executives, social activists and journalists who want a change in the political class. It has grown into a force where it now challenges the established national parties.

Mr Kejriwal has declared himself the challenger in the Varanasi seat against Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Aam Aadmi has capitalised on the anger of people against conventional parties, and Mr Gandhi hopes to capture this rage and frustration and provide an alternative.

He said: "The Congress Party has been around for a long time and has not put up a fight against corruption or big money, so why would I want to join it?

"The Congress Party unfortunately has departed from the values it was committed to and this departure took place a long time ago."

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