Former police officers, retired army officials, social workers and even media persons – this is the work experience of the candidates that Aam Aadmi Party, which is hoping to make its mark in the coming general elections.
Former police officers, retired army officials, social workers and even media persons – this is the work experience of the candidates that Aam Aadmi Party, which is hoping to make its mark in the coming general elections. The time to put these common men with no taste of politics in the election ring to test is in fact quite near with the assembly elections in four states to be held in November this year.
While former Delhi Police constable Krishen Kumar Rathi is a candidate from Mundka, ex-NSG commando Surender Singh who was a part of Taj Operation (26/11) is candidate from the Delhi Cantonment area.
Much before other parties, AAP declared its candidates much in advance in order to spend more time with the people building good relations with them. There are no big banners, no cavalry and no SUVs for them. Without any political funding, they are using the most humble mean of meeting face to face with the people of their constituency. Although ,the door-to-door campaigning is leading them to collection of substantial funds.
The party has even deployed modern means of publicity and campaigning. They send bulk messages on mobile informing people about their schedule and meetings. The party volunteers are reaching out to people in the city and are promising to address their concerns regarding governance, civic issues etc. The party is getting a good response in middle-class areas.
In a bid to appear ‘different’ from other parties, Kejriwal has also introduced the concept of ‘swaraj’ where local development will be carried out in consultation with citizens. Anna Hazare had got the Maharashtra government to incorporate “Swaraj” in local urban bodies after the 2009 general elections; otherwise community participation in India is limited to village local bodies.
Kejriwal has been targeting the Congress for its poor performance and the BJP for failing as an opposition in the city where the Congress has been in power for almost 15 years. Kejriwal’s rallies in middle-class colonies like Rohini, Janakpuri, Saraswati Vihar, RK Puram and Mayur Vihar have evoked a good response.
The Aam Aadmi Party is also using Prakash Jha’s movie Satyagraha to attract people to its fold. A number of volunteers were seen at movie theatres of Connaught Place as well as near popular shops and restaurants of the area, spreading AAP’s message.
Kejriwal has written an open letter to all Delhiites, urging them to convince at least five people each day, until the polls, to vote for AAP. In his letter, Kejriwal said that even though the movement had turned into a revolution, little had been done to set the Jan Lokpal Bill in motion.
“It’s been two years since Annaji launched the movement at Ramlila Ground, but it has had no effect. This time, in the assembly polls we will contest all 70 seats and within 15 days of forming the government, we will clear the Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi,” the letter read.
However, the question hangs in the balance as to whether the party could maintain this tempo once the Congress and BJP stalwarts begin campaigning.
