Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Only powerful moves by AAP can boost its image' that was published in Newsband

Only powerful moves by AAP can boost its image

The June 10 protest by Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party against agrarian distress is an attempt to reach out to rural India and help expand the party’s base. Meeting the chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi on alleged manipulation in the electronic voting machines, is another way to impress the voters.

The party is becoming too ambitious before consolidating. Its lack of success in the recent elections suggests that it has gone far from the core values, which were once so attractive to the people. Mr Kejriwal’s combative style alone won’t work. He and his government should be seen to be addressing national issues. Only this will yield to future political gain.

Recouping lost ground in Punjab should not be at the cost of Delhi. There were many innovative schemes that the party began, among them mohalla clinics, that are in need of attention. There is a huge problem of the lack of proper housing for migrant workers. Its poor showing in Punjab and the municipal elections in Delhi appears to have spoilt the mood of AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may have urban roots, but it has now decided to back farmer agitations and reach out to rural people across the country to expand its base for future elections. The plan to woo rural voters was spurred by its encouraging performance in interior regions of agriculture-dominated Punjab in the February assembly elections, and its relatively steep slide in the Delhi municipal elections last month.

AAP’s target is to create a farmers’ movement wherever state governments are insensitive to their plight.  AAP’s focus areas as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The three states will go to the polls only in late 2018, giving the party enough time for organisation-building activities.

AAP has taken a number of steps to regain lost support in Delhi. Last year, the AAP government’s decision to penalise discoms for unscheduled power cuts was struck down by the Delhi High Court as the L-G’s prior approval had not been sought. AAP cannot afford to display such lapse. It should do something drastic to give boost to its image.