Cash-strapped AAP banks on volunteers
AGNELO PEREIRA
MAPUSA
Short on funds, Aam Aadmi Party has been banking on volunteers to take the party’s message to people’s door across the State.
Volunteers from across the country and abroad are in the State actively involved in the party’s campaign for the February 4 Assembly polls.
The volunteers have been sent to different constituencies in the State as per the demands of the AAP observer and the requirement of the local candidate.
Some of the volunteers help out with door-to-door canvassing, while most handle logistics and behind the scenes work.
While some carry out mundane jobs like distributing pamphlets, hoisting banners, setting the stage for public meetings, etc, there are others who assist key leaders in the backroom office.
“Volunteers from 11 states are in Goa assisting the local units in various party-related jobs. Maximum number of volunteers is from Mumbai and Bangalore AAP units while a batch of eight volunteers arrived from Manipur two days ago,” said a party member. “Besides there are at least 30 NRI volunteers, who have flown down to Goa to help the party,” he added.
AAP said the volunteers are a mix of professionals and businessmen who have taken time off to offer support to the party.
“We have one volunteer who arrived from San Franciso just yesterday (January 21). He will be assisting us at the media cell,” said Ashley de Rosario, AAP’s media in-charge for the elections.
Most of these volunteers meet their own travel expenses while the local unit arranges for their basic necessities of lodging and boarding.
“All our volunteers come on their own to work for the party. They virtually eat out from a common kitchen and pay for their own transport. They share the same living space with other senior party leaders,” said Dr Oscar Rebello, spokesman and senior leader of AAP.
Apart from the volunteers engaged in routine poll work, an AAP observer has been stationed in every constituency to oversee the entire campaign. Besides, a coordinator has also been appointed for every taluka.
