Sounding the bugle for the Punjab polls in 2017, Aam Aadmi Party is set to announce its first list of candidates within next 20 days. The new entrant in the state politics is also expecting support from approximately one lakh NRIs by the end of 2016.
The early announcement of the candidate list will offer the party a significant lead over its Opposition in terms of a sizeable campaign time. “The candidate selection process for the Punjab Assembly elections is in its final stages. The first list will be out in 20 days. On the lines of Delhi elections, the party will take out the list of candidates for the 117 seats in the state in a phased manner,” Durgesh Pathak, AAP’s national organisation building head told this newspaper.
The support from NRIs can come in different forms including the active participation in campaigns for the party or providing financial support in the form of funds or hosting events such as high-tea or dinner. Mr Pathak further said that announcement of the candidate lists in early stages has proven beneficial in many ways. “This gives our candidates ample time to campaign in their respective areas and increase their familiarity as much as possible, as most of our candidates are fresh faces.
Also, being low on funds, announcing candidates much in advance helps them to increase their outreach,” he added.
The party has connected with 30 lakh families under its door-to-door campaign, Punjab Jodo. “In a bid to reach out to all sections of the population in the state, the party is running targeted campaigns through its different wings. The SC/ST wing is targeting the dalit areas and has covered 7 lakh households. The wing is raising its voice on issues faced by the section, including unemployment and education. The state women’s wing has covered 3.5 households, while the kisan wing has already organized 50 rallies in the state,” he said.
Gearing up for the triangular contest in the state, AAP has aggressively started its campaign ahead of its Opposition. Party’s national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has had several rallies in the state and will travel to Amritsar on July 18 to pay obeisance and offer sewa (voluntary service) at the Golden Temple. This will be his second visit to the holy temple. The party has also released its 51-point youth manifesto for the youngsters in the state.
