Dinesh Kamath's news 'Can AAP create problems for Sanjeev Naik?' that was published in Newsband

Can AAP create problems for Sanjeev Naik?

By Dinesh Kamath

(Above) Sanjeev Sane of AAP

(Above) Sanjeev Naik of NCP

NAVI MUMBAI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had achieved a stunning success in Delhi elections. The party workers of AAP in Navi Mumbai appear to be inspired by this victory in Delhi. These workers are trying to apply in Navi Mumbai the tactics which they had adopted during the elections in Delhi. Hence the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Navi Mumbai will give the city residents an idea as to where AAP stands in this particular region. Many are anxious to see whether AAP can perform in Navi Mumbai the kind of miracle it did in Delhi.

In Delhi, AAP had contested 70 seats and won 28. They could achieve this success owing to their perfect poll campaigning method. In Navi Mumbai too they are adopting the similar campaigning tactics. It is left to be seen whether these tactics will enable them to achieve a break-through in Navi Mumbai too.

Like in Delhi, in Navi Mumbai too AAP workers are straightaway interacting with the voters and they even go door to door and explain to the residents the reason why AAP should be voted to power.  It is clear that Navi Mumbai residents had enough of corrupt practices, rise in prices, nepotism and dynastic rule in the city and there are many people in the city, if not all, might prefer to give the AAP candidate Sanjeev Sane a chance to normalize the political situation in Navi Mumbai. They strongly feel that if there is any party that can bring about a positive change in Navi Mumbai, it is AAP since this is one party which raises itself above religion, region, language and caste. AAP had displayed its strong anti-corruption stance in Delhi and won the hearts of people over there. Will it be possible for AAP to repeat that kind of success Navi Mumbai too?

In fact, Navi Mumbai residents feel strongly about AAP since when this party members started the online registration process, a very huge number of city residents responded expressing their willingness to join AAP which promises to tackle local issues like corruption and squandering of public money by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), bad roads, unaffordable housing and inflation.

AAP shows promise of putting up a tough fight in Navi Mumbai owing to the political mess and tendency to opt for dynastic rule that is witnessed here. The high court’s order to demolish the illegal Glass House structure belonging to the relative of Naiks who have a stronghold in Navi Mumbai might prove to be an advantage for AAP and other parties which are opposing Nationalist Congress Party-Congress alliance.

AAP is also adopting a modern style of campaigning. It is using scientific and technological methods to obtain information about the main problems that the city residents are facing. It is clear that AAP is trying to use to its advantage the fact that Navi Mumbai has cosmopolitan voters like it was in Delhi. This might give a boost to their chances in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election in Navi Mumbai. It is left to be seen whether AAP can give a jolt to NCP in particular in this satellite city.