After Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party to focus on Mumbai, Maharashtra

MUMBAI: Enthused by the strong showing in Delhi Assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) has decided to concentrate on the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra.

"Our slogan is, 'AAP ka ye sandesh, aaj Dilli, kal pura desh'," AAP functionary Mayank Gandhi said here.

"We will be fielding candidates from the 36 Assembly seats in Mumbai," he said. "We haven't yet decided the number of Lok Sabha seats we will contest from Mumbai," he added. Mumbai has six Lok Sabha seats.

The Delhi results have boosted the morale of AAP members in the state, he said.

The party plans to take up issues like open spaces and slum rehabilitation schemes in the city. Housing, electricity and water supply will also be the issues on which the party will focus.

"Voters are fed up of the indecisive, corrupt and non-functional government and are looking at the AAP as an alternative," another AAP member said.

To ensure good performance in the polls, the party is roping in youth through forums like social media.

Asked if the party had collected data about the performance, utilisation of government funds in Mumbai constituencies, and the alleged wrongdoings of the ruling Congress-NCP and the opposition BJP-Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs. Gandhi said, "Yes, we have collected a lot of information."

There were reports that AAP activists, using RTI, have been collecting crucial data about utilisation of MP and MLA funds, work carried out through Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA) and district collectors' offices, details of land deals and violations on use of government land.