Pay Rs 1,100 to attend Kejri rally

While some parties pay to gather volunteers at their rallies, the Aam Aadmi Party expects their volunteers to pay. It has asked participants to pay Rs 1,100 and attend Arvind Kejriwal’s rally in Varanasi on March 25.

The party will arrange return train tickets and food for volunteers who are willing to pay, D D Sharma, who runs the help desk at the party office on Hanuman Road, said.
He said that within a day the party received nearly 70 registrations.

“Maybe there is another desk at the party headquarters in Ghaziabad,” Sharma added.
Party workers say that since Kejriwal has given indication that he may contest from Varanasi against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the mood is upbeat.
While addressing a rally in Bangalore on March 16, Kejriwal said that he will hold a referendum in Varanasi and get people’s consent to contest against Modi. AAP workers think that the referendum will be a symbolic gesture.

“He (Kejriwal) is expected to ask people at the rally whether he should contest the elections. Who will not raise hands,” a party worker said.

Earlier, the rally in Varanasi was postponed by two days to March 25. The district administration denied permission for it in view of the Legislative Council polls.

AAP members said the party has more time to prepare for the rally. “I can’t say how many volunteers may join Arvind from Delhi, but volunteers look excited,” Sharma said.