JOIN USAn oft-used tactic by political leaders to put on a show of vast support is to lure people to party rallies with cash or other favours. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seems to be reversing the trend.
The party has asked people to pay up if they want to attend a rally to be addressed by their chief Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi on Tuesday.
AAP leaders have come up with a ‘package’ to those interested. It would charge Rs 300 per person, but the attendees would be picked up and taken to the venue by bus and even dropped back home. The package also includes lunch.
Aam Aadmi Party has opened registration counters in several eastern Uttar Pradesh districts to enrol people for the upcoming
rally.
Crowd response
“So far, around 300 people, including women, have got themselves registered with us,” said Anjani Kumar Mishra, convener of the party in Allahabad district.
Speaking to Deccan Herald on telephone from Allahabad, Mishra said that the registration process had begun a few days ago. “Ours is a party born out of a people’s movement. We are not like other political parties. This way, only genuine supporters will come for such events unlike the captive crowds at other rallies,” he said.
Mishra also said that the response they have received is ‘very good’. “People are ready to spend Rs 300 to listen to Kejriwal,” he added.