Unlike Punjab, AAP goes local in Goa

By Aanchal Bansal

NEW DELHI: Even as Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal takes on the Centre over demonetisation in Punjab, the party campaign in Goa focuses on local issues.

Quietly making inroads into the political landscape of the state, the party is also banking on the ‘newness’ factor and is reaching out to the voters on issues such as banning of casinos, the preferred language— Konkani, Marathi or English— in schools, and the changing demography.

Party sources claim that the Delhi model of governance mainly dealing with schools and ‘mohalla’ clinics continue to be a talking point for leaders campaigning in Goa. As Delhi leaders, such as Kumar Vishwas and Kapil Misra campaigning before Kejriwal’s rally on December 19, the aim is to reach the local population through small public meetings and door-to-door campaigning. “We are looking at replicating the ‘Mohalla’ clinics through the ward or ‘vados’ system in Goa,” a party leader said.