Won’t contest, but AAP will make sure it remains visible

While it may not be contesting the upcoming polls, the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will ensure their rivals don’t have it too easy this poll season.

While it may not be contesting the upcoming polls, the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will ensure their rivals don’t have it too easy this poll season.

From getting candidates to sign on the promises they have made, exposing the antecedents of candidates to organising candidate meetings, the party is drawing up a list of things it plans to do to stay relevant.

As part of its plan, the AAP will conduct an awareness campaign across the city, to help people know their candidates better. So far, only citizen bodies and activist groups have held such meetings.

The party will also seek commitments from candidates about their performance, if elected. “We will ask them to sign guarantees that they will adhere to a basic set of guidelines which include being transparent in fund utilisation and consulting the electorate more often,” said a party leader.

“We will also get details of candidates, such as their criminal records, the growth in their assets and their performance record. The idea is to help the electorate make an informed choice,” said a senior Mumbai-based party leader.

“We will give people parameters on which they can judge their candidates,” said another leader.

The party, after its poor performance in the general elections, decided it won’t contest the Assembly polls in the state and instead will focus on winning back Delhi.

While details are being fine-tuned, insiders said the strategy behind the move is two-pronged. “There is a fear that we may lose out on visibility as we aren’t contesting. So apart from helping voters, the initiative will also keep us relevant in the polls,” said the leader.