AAP mathematics for Kashi: Spend less, campaign more!
A 15-feet by 8-feet room, an earthen water pot, ceiling fan to beat the heat at 37-degree Celsius, and volunteers working out the campaigning strategy on three laptops next to a bunch of brooms — the party symbol.
This is the office of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Varanasi from where Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Narendra Modi. The office is spartan, as compared to those of other political parties. Reason: The party has decided on a budget of ` 10 lakh for direct canvassing among roughly 10 lakh (out of the total) voters in the district. This even though a number of NRIs are willing to fund Kejriwal’s election.
“Arvindji has asked us not to go over ` 10 lakh, if possible, and we take his words very sincerely,” says Prerna, who is coordinating the election campaign with a team of over 500 volunteers, 80 of whom are from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Therefore, travel expense for door-to-door campaigning, pamphlet or AAP cap and lodging/ food of volunteers is all meticulously recorded.
“It is Arvindji’s constituency so we don’t want to take any chances,” added Eshwar, owner of a few passenger vehicles, who has come from Lucknow to campaign as a volunteer.
Even AAP caps are not being given away to people as BJP or
EVERYDAY A SHORT MEETING OF CORE TEAM OF THE AAP BEGINS THE CAMPAIGNING AT THE OFFICE LOCATED IN NOISY LOHA MANDI
other parties do.
“Each cap is counted, therefore, we make sure the person who is deserving and will vote for the right candidate gets it,” says Prerna, who was also a part of AAP’s New Delhi election campaign.
Everyday a short meeting of core team begins the campaigning at the office located in noisy Loha Mandi. Three volunteers prepare list for bulk SMSs , voice calls look after the Facebook and twitter account on the laptops while the remaining go out.
“Dedicated team of party workers leave for designated area and meet at least 200 families in a day. By this we aim to touch over 10 lakh voters in the district under one-to-one conversation by April end. The remaining voters shall be covered through group meetings and rallies,” said Prerna.
Meanwhile, AAP is also opening offices at village level but they are at free of cost places offered by people. Before an office is set up the owner has to give in writing that the space is free for AAP and is being given as she/he supports AAP.
Such offices have only the basic facilities to work unlike other parties who have offices with all modern facilities.
“Statistically we have been able to make 16,000 party members in Varanasi through oneto-one meetings. This shows our team is dedicated and the door-to-campaigning has worked,” said Prerna.
As the day ends volunteers/ teams report their day’s activity and expense is recorded before next day’s plan is discussed.