In Maharashtra, ruling alliance & BJP united in loot: Preeti Sharma Menon

Interview with Spokesperson and secretary of Maharashtra unit, Aam Aadmi Party

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has swung into action to reach out to voters to provide an alternative to the established parties in Maharashtra. The party is keen to contest on maximum seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections slated for 2014. In an interview with Sanjay Jog, AAP spokesperson and secretary of Maharashtra unit, Preeti Sharma Menon, spells out her party's strategy for the state

After a sterling performance in New Delhi, why has your party chosen Maharashtra as the next destination?

The India Against Corruption (IAC) movement was very strong in almost all urban areas of Maharashtra. In fact, the largest IAC rally was held in Mumbai in August 2013. So when we formed a political party, we were the fastest in forming committees across the state, besides Delhi. We have committees in all districts, and in over 50 per cent talukas. With more than 40,000 primary members and 5,000 party workers, we are adding more than 5,000 members daily. During the Delhi elections, over 1,000 workers from Maharashtra stayed in Delhi for weeks for campaigning. So, having such a strong presence, it is natural that the party will be a serious contender in the state elections.

Except 1977-80 and 1995-99, Maharashtra has been ruled by the Congress alone or with coalition partners. What will be AAP's strategy to make its presence stronger in the state and attract voters during the upcoming Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections?

The people of Maharashtra have been trapped by political dynasties that have been ruling the state like zamindars. They want an alternative. The AAP is growing at a dramatic speed. Our strategy is to invite socio-political leaders and bureaucrats who bring committed groups with them, and so far, it has been very successful. Our agenda is very simple - corruption is the highest in Maharashtra and despite such fantastic resources, people are still fighting for livelihood. An end to corruption and rule by the common man, who is concerned about the day-to-day problems of the common people, is the only way out.

Your party has already announced its plan to contest all 48 Lok Sabha seats and 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra. How will the party gear up for this? Will you strike an electoral alliance?

The AAP will contest as many seats as possible. We are not keen on electoral alliances. There are some smaller parties whose principles are similar to ours. We will invite them to join us and pose a formidable challenge to corrupt parties.

What are the major issues your party will focus on while reaching out to voters?

We believe in Swaraj and for each constituency, we will prepare a local manifesto on local issues. By and large, the common issues thrown up are electricity, water, shelter, education and health. We have set up teams to study each of these issues and their likely solutions.

Apart from the social media, how will the party try to connect with the people?

Social media will play an important role in Maharashtra as 46 per cent of the population here is urban. But door-to-door campaign is the only way to connect with the masses, so we are focusing on increasing the strength of our workers and have begun door-to-door campaigns in several places.

Will you be able to cash in on the anti-incumbency factor of the 15-year-old Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) rule in such a short period?

Across the nation, people are fed up of the ruling parties. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is merely a substitute for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). The AAP offers an alternative. The most remarkable aspect of the Delhi election is that it put an end to decades of voter apathy. A young and decisive India is done with corrupt politicians and the AAP is the only alternative.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India alliance, and also the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena are keen to take on the Congress-NCP on the same plank. Will a division of votes dampen your prospects?

There is no similarity in our planks - we are non-communal, not-corrupt and non-criminal. We refuse to perpetuate identity politics and politics that divides people. We are taking on all of them in Maharashtra. More than anything else, we see that the Congress, the BJP and the NCP are united in the loot and this has to end.

What will be your promises to attract the youth in particular?

Do we look like a party that uses promises [to attract voters]? We are asking the youth to awaken and participate to join and run the party. Our state executive has a 20-year-old as a key member.

What are your preparations for fund raising?

Mumbai was one of the largest fund contributors during the Delhi elections and we are confident that money will come in. We haven't begun any concerted campaign in this direction, it will begin in January.

People from various sectors including leading industrialists, professionals have already started approaching you. What will be the party's criteria to make them members?

Non-corrupt, non-criminal and non-communal - these are our only criteria. All those who have joined the AAP come with the clear view to serve society and their participation has strengthened AAP in Maharashtra. Right from strategy to execution to door-to-door campaigning, they are involved at all levels.