AAP plans to counter ABVP

The Aam Aadmi Party launched its youth wing to counter the growing influence of the BJP-backed student outfit Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which swept the Delhi University Students’ Union elections.

The objective of the new outfit, called the Aam Aadmi Party Youth Wing, will be to encourage youth leadership and give a push to the idea of “clean politics”.

In the light of possible Delhi Assembly elections, the outcome of the DUSU polls on Saturday was a signal that the ‘Modi wave’ is still potent in Delhi. Some 60,000 students had exercised their ballot in the DU polls.

AAP’s student wing Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, which failed to gain ground in Delhi University, had decided against contesting the elections.

“The formal launch of the AAP Youth Wing will take place on September 27, the 107th birth anniversary of revolutionary martyr Bhagat Singh. The Youth Wing has planned programmes across the city to mark the occasion,” the party said in a statement.

In a meeting with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal the week last, it was decided that the Youth Wing will focus on unemployment, women safety and issues concerning young people and students.
The Delhi unit of the AAP Youth Wing will be headed by party MLA from Tilak Nagar Jarnail Singh. Karol Bagh MLA Vishesh Ravi will be its convenor. 

The new outfit will launch its membership drive in the city to enrol people below 35 years of age, who constitute nearly one-third of Delhi’s population.

“Work is also on to set up committees in all 273 wards in the capital. The immediate target after this is to expand the organisation up to booth level,” the party said.