Party leaders are upbeat but critics say they will face an uphill task.
The stunning debut of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi assembly election has ignited its hopes in Maharashtra as well. This victory will certainly boost the AAP network in Mumbai and Maharashtra, but only time will tell whether it will become a giant killer here too or just remain an ineffective political outfit.
AAP claims that it is one of the best options for people who want clean and honest politics. Vijay Pandhare, the irrigation scam whistleblower, has already joined AAP. Many other prominent faces will also be joining the party, like Meera Sanyal, the professional banker who had lost in the Lok Sabha elections against south Mumbai MP Milind Deora.
“People want change and clean politics. AAP is the harbinger of this change. AAP’s result in Delhi can be replicated across Maharashtra if proper strategy is chalked out. The party has the power to dismantle the main political forces,” said Sanyal.
However, Jaydeo Dole, political observer, said AAP can get its foothold in Mumbai but it’s going to be a difficult task for them in rural Maharashtra. “In Maharashtra, people are politically-oriented.
They always vote those outfits which have got a solid political background. AAP has no political ideology,” he said.
According to Mayank Gandhi, national executive committee member of AAP, several government officers are in touch with AAP leaders. “Most of them have shown their interest in joining AAP. We are holding meetings with all newcomers and various groups,” said Gandhi. He added that they are finalising how many seats will be contesting in Maharashtra. “The decision will be taken in our national executive meeting next week,” he said.
However, NCP leader Praful Patel has a different view. “AAP will have a negligible impact on Maharashtra politics. Most of the movements took place in Delhi and so people there were actively connected with AAP. This is a temporary phenomenon which can be wiped out if good governance is provided,” he said.
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