Historic electoral victory of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Delhi had an electrifying impact on the party’s cadre in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where so far the party had nominal presence.
As the contours of an overwhelming victory which left the opponent BJP panting and the Congress vanquished, it became clear that this time AAP has surpassed its image of being an underdog party. Upbeat party workers came out on the streets in Hyderabad and celebrated with gusto.
The AAP, which has about two lakh registered members in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but could not do much in 2014 lok Sabha elections in the two Telugu State, was now basking in the reflected glory of Delhi victory.
Osmania University, so far the hotbed of the right wing and left wing students organisations and political parties also witnessed massive celebrations by AAP supporters. Young people danced to the beats of bands hailing party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. Many other places including the tourist hotspot Tank Bund also saw celebrations on the occasion. Party workers carrying broom also thronged the party office at Basheerbagh in Hyderabad and raised slogans in support of Kejriwal.
Prof Pl Visheshwar Rao, Telangana AAP treasurer said, “Never in the past a political party commanded such respect and support from the people. It is overwhelming and it has set in motion nationwide ripples. Its effect will be felt in many States for a long time”. He hoped that the AAP would soon emerge a national party by winning in many States including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
As the elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was the one big opportunity in Telangana for the AAP to show its prowess, State party leaders have started discussing the possibility of entering the fray with new vigor.
Telangna AAP convenor R Venkat Reddy said that the party workers would reach out to the people in the same away as they did in Delhi and create awareness against corruption rampant everywhere. The State unit of the party was also happy over the contribution several volunteers from the State made to the party’s stunning performance in Delhi.
AAP’s victory in the face of huge odds has also won laurels from outside with the Chief Ministers of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh congratulating Delhi CM-designate Arvind Kerjriwal.
“It is clear indication that voters by and large and particularly urban voters want change and they rightly voted to you and your party,” Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao wrote to Kejriwal in a letter. “People are expecting corruption-free and transparent governance”.
Jayaprakash Narayan of the lok Satta said that results of Delhi show that people were desirous of bringing in a new political culture with emphasis on development, jobs and good governance. But he was skeptical of AAP’s ability to fulfill the promises of freebies.