Assembly elections: AAP says 5,000 volunteers to arrive in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party is expecting more than 5,000 volunteers to arrive in Delhi for the 2015 Delhi assembly elections. Unlike last year, when the party was inundated with a flood of supporters from India and abroad which it was totally unprepared to handle, this time an elaborate plan has been prepared to utilize the additional man power to fuel its low budget campaign.

"Volunteers have already started streaming into Delhi but we are expecting most of them to arrive here once the election date is announced. Presuming that election will be in February, many of them have already indicated that they would like to come in the first week of January. So far, around 5,000 have registered with us," said Atishi Marlena, a party spokesperson.

While many of the constituencies are likely to be adopted by party units from foreign cities and other states after which teams from these places will focus specifically on their adopted constituencies, the party will also look at community specific volunteering work. "For instance, a team from Benaras will be placed in the northeast constituency which has a large number of purvanchalis. We are trying to get volunteers to come from the southern states for areas like RK Puram.We are also trying to fast track mission vistaar in some states so that they are able to send volunteers," said Marlena.

In 2013, when the party had no organization in other states, people had quit their jobs and arrived in Delhi without a plan except of campaigning for AAP. This included hundreds from abroad. This time too, several such people who are not associated with the party have contacted AAP. Sources said that a team of 15 people from Victoria in Australia had said that they wanted to come for campaigning.

"This time, we have work slotted out. For instance, we will use NRIs for social media outreach, fund raising and the calling campaign. Those coming from within India for a long period will be sent to various constituencies to campaign on ground. For volunteers coming for two weeks or less, the buzz campaign will work well since that involves several activities through which we will raise awareness about the party. Already, teams have been standing at 80 spots including malls and markets with caps and campaign material. Volunteers are also travelling by bus and Metro wearing the party cap. While we cannot campaign in the Metro, at least this ensures visibility," said Marlena.