Think global and act local! The ideology is coming to assist the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Jharkhand from being capsized. The party which has seen a northward trend in membership after the stunning Delhi triumph has gone local to meet the demand of its iconic cap.
local unit of the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit has placed order for 1,000 caps to a local tailor after the party witnessed sort supply of the headgear from Delhi. "We have purchased cloth and given it to a tailor to supply us the caps. later on, we would place the sticker or get the slogan and election symbol printed over it," said Sunil Mahto, convener of the unit functional in the State.
The locally made cap would be different from those brought from Delhi in terms of quality. The cap, which contributed immensely in Arvind Kejriwal's march to the power circles with main hun aam aadmi slogan and broom as election symbol is said to be made in China and of 'use and throw' quality. "The caps made here would be durable and comfortable. It is made up of Khadi cloth which would be long lasting as well," added Mahto.
Party office and functionaries have to quest for caps since supply from Delhi could not match the demand. The party has seen a surge in membership since its formation which has gone viral in last one month. As per inputs provided by AAP, people from different walks of life have thronged for party membership from areas like Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Dumka and Palamau, besides Ranchi.
"In last one 3-4 days when the nationwide campaign Main Bhi Aam Aadmi has taken off, over 5,000 new members have joined the party in Ranchi itself. We have received receipts from them as well. But when they demand for the cap it turns difficult for us to make it available. We have been finding difficulty earlier as well and when somebody would come from Delhi some caps were brought. Now with growing demand, we decided to make it prepared locally," said Mahto.
The party also tried to contact some local vendors dealing in cap business but failed to get it due to cost as they were demanding higher rate than Rs 3 to Rs 5 priced at Delhi and with the similar 'use and throw' quality. The attire with new fabric would be costing as much as Rs 10 a piece.
Popularity of the political new born has even prompted people to apply for party ticket for the upcoming parliamentary elections. There are seats like Palamau, Godda, Giridih, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Hazaribagh from where applications from more than one ticket seekers have been sent to AAP's central unit. Though officially the AAP is yet to decide over fielding its candidates in Jharkhand for the 2014 lok Sabha polls but the party unit here is flexing for majority of seats.
"Senior party leaders Ajit Jha and Somnath Tripathi are coming Jharkhand between January 25 and 28. later Yogendra Yadav would also come. Party's strategy for lok Sabha and also our organisational structure would be decided during the meeting. But we are eying for most of the seats and are in a good position on 4-5 seats of Jharkhand," said Ajay Kumar, another active functionary of AAP.
The AAP effect has already created ripples in Jharkhand's political arena after its thumping show. Regional parties such as Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and Jharkhand Disom Party of Salkhan Murmu have shown their leniency to share, if not don, the AAP's cap. Moreover the party insiders say it is in sort supply for those!