Following a telecommunication based strategy adopted at national level to induct members into the party; the Jharkhand chapter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also launched a dedicated a phone number for the State. Anyone can give a missed call on—02943044550—and get registered as active party member or volunteer of the AAP, the newly formed political outfit led by Arvind Kejriwal.
The number has been provided to the Jharkhand chapter by a Rajasthan based company free of cost and after getting sponsors, the interested persons would also be sent a welcome SMS confirming his membership of the party.
“The number was made operational two-days back. We have also started a paid SMS service 57333. The person interested have to send his/her name, address etc to become an active member of the party,” said Sunil Mahto, the coordinator of AAP in the State.
To increase its membership in the State, marred with corruption, the regional office is also in talks with an advertisement agency to put up three-four hoardings of the party in Ranchi.
“We are preparing our strategy and have also contacted an agency. The strategy of putting hoardings would be extended to other major cities like Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and Bokaro,” added Mahto. The newly formed party has made about 1000 members in the capital city.
The activity is parallel to APP’s drive to gather adequate funds to run the party. The party has appealed to common citizens of the country to donate generously to party funds by cash, credit-debit cards, cheque or any other mode of payment.
“We have sent e-mails and also appealed to people through our website. But at the same, we have made it clear that we will give receipts against the donations and made public the identity of the contributors,” said Ajit Jha, a senior working committee member of AAP in Delhi.
Stressing on making the financial party truly transparent, Jha said the similar instructions had also been passed to the Jharkhand chapter. “We have received cash receipts from Delhi about a month ago. We have collected some donations from like minded people and kept all the records in files. Soon we would be uploading the contributors’ names on the website,” said Sunil Mahto.
The fund collected is in the tune of about Rs8000 so far and has been used mostly in maintaining office expenses, publicity exercises, running campaigns and organising meetings.
To expand the activities in other parts of State, especially in rural areas, the party would use pamphlets, posters and small banners for affordable and effective campaign among the masses.