Taking on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC), two formidable forces in Chhattisgarh is a big task but instead of indulging in petty politics, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been for last two years concentrated on building the organisation in lines of New Delhi, said Dr Sanket Thakur, Chhattisgarh Convener of the AAP.
The fear of AAP can be gauged from fact that BJP and Congress have included AAP in their survey report which itself is a recognition of our ground work, points out Sanket while talking to The Pioneer.
“We have declared 68 seats out of 90 in assembly constituencies. We are holding a review on September 4 as all the candidates have been given campaign task which would be reviewed. Meanwhile, youth are being mobilised for which AAP national spokesperson and Delhi MLA Alka Lamba is coming to Raipur for two days,” he said. AAP is going with issues of farmers and unemployment. The first key points of manifesto are expected to be released by September 5. The party is coming up with a vision document. The gist of it would be election manifesto.
Chhattisgarh has more than 25 lakh unemployed youth registered for employment and another similar figure in unorganised sector. State Government has more than 2.5 lakh posts vacant against which work is being done through contractual basis. More than 1.80 lakh contractual teachers are working. There is private sector which is deploying outsiders. AAP if comes to power would first regularise these, said Sanket.
On question of social media campaign, he points out in Chhattisgarh social media use is bare minimum. Around 1 percent use Twitter and 10% use Facebook, even if Chhattisgarh Chief Minister distributes 50 lakh phones, the data to use both social media possibility is meager. Many would use WhatsApp which is not so effective.
On campaigning, he said that one polling booth in state is average 15 kilometres, so it is double challenge where no media exists. So, party is concentrating on field work which can develop better bonds with electors.
“I cannot say how many seats we will win but yes we will make a mark, as result of our hard work would reflect in the poll result. Even state BJP sees AAP as a formidable force as they see as a step for power again but there is anti-incumbency factor and anti-sentiments against Congress for not raising issues of public to bring relief. AAP is likely to ride on it,” Chhattisgarh State Convener said.