Bengaluru: The three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates from Bengaluru ended their day long campaign on Sunday evening escorted by an ocean of white-capped, broom-wielding and slogan-shouting supporters, and a flashmob by volunteers to the tunes of the film Rang De Basanti and Hindi classics that drove home the AAP’s message.
About 100 AAP volunteers gathered at Brigade Road despite the rain. While Nina Nayak, AAP candidate from Bangalore South campaigned along Mysore Road, Vijaynagar, Jayanagar before reaching Brigade Road. V. Balakrishnan, Bangalore Central, campaigned aggressively in Chamrajpet and Shivajinagar and Prof Babu Mathew, contesting from Bangalore North, was delighted with the response he received from his constituency.
The AAP has been using musical road and dance shows in its campaign. Says Nina Nayak, “This is the way to attract the attention of the youth today. And the rain is a sign that we are on the right path.”
Mr Balakrishnan said that, “Unlike other political parties we do not have money to afford extravagant campaigning. This is why we choose to campaign with dance shows and street plays that attract people from all sections of society. So far, people have won elections by money, muscle power and liquor alone, but this time we will show that one can win an election through honesty as well.”
AAP volunteers requested spectators to sign on the flex banners to show their support for the fight against corruption. These flex banners have been put up in various parts of the city. Addressing AAP volunteers and spectators, Prof. Babu Mathew said, “We will eradicate water and garbage problems and the land mafia from the city and bring back the beautiful city that Bengaluru was once.”
Volunteers and supporters enthusiastically swung their brooms – the party’s election symbol – to express solidarity with the party that has promised sweeping changes. The popularity of the AAP among youngsters is unprecedented and this event too was dominated by them.
Durga, an AAP supporter said, “Before AAP, youngsters always thought politics was boring, but through such dance shows and events you not only make politics easier to grasp but can also bring your agenda before a public forum in a very interesting manner. This is a party that has candidates who had been activists, intellectuals in their fields and have done their grassroots level work properly. It definitely brings a lot of credibility.”
Although AAP has been criticised for its lack of experience in administration and foreign policy, Parineeta, a volunteer, says, “We have tried other experienced parties and the outcome has not been satisfactory. So, why not support a party that is at least free from corruption and dedicated to bring a clean government.”
However, amidst all the dance shows and slogans, AAP also managed to disrupt the weekend traffic. A constable deputed in Brigade Road grumbled, “It has been a hard time controlling the traffic. After all, this is a busy junction. Even in the rain, we are forced to come out and control the traffic as the campaigning is still going on even though the three AAP candidates have left.”
