The rivals within have apparently not dampened the spirits of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), actively working towards Mission 2017 in Punjab.
Already, making it amply clear to focus on Punjab only, after Delhi, the AAP has chalked out its plan with an eye on the next State assembly polls, scheduled to be held in 2017, undeterred by the infighting among party’s top leaders.
The party, following the footsteps of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and senior Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh, has decided to visit the foreign lands to garner support of the NRI brethren. The party has also carried out a survey in the state to find out the “burning” issues related with the state, including that of the farmers, law and order, corruption, among others.
AAP has long ago announced its ‘Mission 2017’ for the state. In a step towards the same, it has recently restructured the state organisation appointing observers by dividing the state into 13 zones. The party is banking on its performance during 2014 lok Sabha polls, that upset the political equations in Punjab. Since then, the AAP is giving sleepless nights to all major political parties in the state.
AAP’s performance was attributed, by the political analysts, to the massive support the NRIs gave to the party. Now, the party is all set to woo them once again. Seeing SAD and Congress making frantic attempts to win back the NRIs ahead 2017 polls, AAP has also planned a tour to foreign shores.
To begin with, AAP state party convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur led delegation will visit Canada. later, Australia tour is also on AAP’s itinerary. Earlier, AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was scheduled to visit Canada, Australia for the purpose.
“So many NRIs from Punjab are staying abroad, especially Canada which is known as mini Punjab. First of all, we will be visiting Canada to garner support of the Punjabi Diaspora. All political parties are out there, reaching out to the NRIs, to woo them, but we are quite sure that they will support AAP as they did in 2014,” AAP leader, who did not wish to be named, told The Pioneer.
AAP leader maintained that the NRIs would play a significant role in 2017 assembly polls in Punjab.
Already, SAD’s ministerial delegations are touring various countries, including US. Also, former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has announced his US, Canada tour in September. “Everyone knows the treatment that was meted out to the Akalis there. Shoe was hurled at Minister Tota Singh, their programmes were disrupted. Even ahead Capt Amarinder’s visit, a case was registered against him,” said AAP leader.
The leader said that AAP’s popularity in Punjab is “huge, even much more than Delhi”.
“People in Punjab are fed up of Akalis, Congress, and also the BJP. During 2014, they took AAP as a viable alternative, and that’s what they will think for 2017. People have seen our governance in Delhi where we have done a lot for the farmers, and common people which would surely impact Punjab,” added the leader.
In party’s survey, conducted across the state, agrarian crisis emerged as the main issue in Punjab. The party has given Rs 20,000 per acre and Rs 50,000 per hectare compensation to the farmers in Delhi — something that would sway the farming community from the agrarian state of Punjab towards AAP.
Currently, AAP’s Punjab unit is finding it tough to tackle the internal crisis, with party’s three MPs, out of four, raising a banner of revolt against the party’s leadership. Party’s senior leaders are in open war of words against one another, eclipsing party’s chances.