In Vizag, 1,000 register with AAP in two days, AAP set to give stiff competition to conventional parties

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 5, 2014: While conventional parties like the Congress, TD and YSRC are yet to decide their local strategies, the newest entrant in the political landscape, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) has already started its ground work to contest both assembly and loksabha polls in Vizag, four months ahead of the general elections. 

AAP’s debut in the city seems to be a hit among Vizagites. Around 1,000 volunteers from the city have already registered with the Vizag wing of AAP, showing an interest to work for the party. The city chapter was launched just two days back without  any pomp and any formal announcement or publicity.

AAP workers here are listing a charter of demands and the problems being faced by the public to take to the masses and middle class groups. They would be finalizing the strategy on campaign for Loksabha polls in two weeks. With more urban middle class voters in Vizag loksabha constituency, political observers are of the opinion that AAP might give stif competition to the conventional party candidates of TD, Congress and YSRC.

Mass emails, bulk SMSs, mapping of various zones using Google Maps, extensive use of Social Media like Facebook and Twitter is the strategy of AAP Vizag. “Our support teams are already on the field to get the members and to know the issues and problems plaguing public. The database will be ready in just a week. Our target is to enroll at least 1 lakh members by March. But, with the response we are getting we will reach the target in just one month,”AAP local coordinator, Sistla Venugopal Rao told this correspondent.

Every member gets two AAP trademark caps. The local members are spending money their own money for stitching the caps and other sundry.

After attending the AAP meeting in Hyderabad on Dec 28, a group of enthusiastic Vizagites had an informal meeting two days ago and decided to launch the membership drive. AAP has divided Vizag district into 100 zones including Bheemili and ANakapalle.  The group has decided to reachn out to the colonies across the city and its associations to know the local problems as the election manifetsos and agendas will be very specific to the localities.

There are more than 20 lakh voters in Vizag loksabha constituency and 5 of the total 7 assembly constituencies coming under it has urban and middle class voters. Among them youngsters comprise 35 percent.

“We are doing everything in a scientific manner by pooling up all data and statistics. We will very soon finalise strategies for the polls and launch campaigns. Our volunteers are willing to work in shifts. We are very happy to see such a huge response,” said Dr MT Venkateswarlu, member of the AAP’s Vizag committee, who returned to India in 2007 after practicing in England for 8 years. He had contested for the Vizag loksabha seat on a Loksatta ticket in 2009 polls.