Surge in AAP membership in Gujarat

The fledgling party aims to add 50,000 members in each of 26 constituencies

After the success in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is on a high in Gujarat too. If the joining of former BJP MLA Kanu Kalsariya was not enough, the party has already seen its membership in the state surged to around 70,000 from a mere 6,000 before the elections.

The party is undertaking an aggressive membership drive in the state and aims to add 50,000 members in each of the 26 constituencies.

“The party was formed in Gujarat in February 2013. Till November, we added around 6,000 members across Gujarat. However, after the Delhi results, the number of new members being added to the party suddenly shot up and is now at around 70,000,” said Sukhdev Patel, convenor, Gujarat unit of AAP . “By January-end, we aim to have at least 50,000 members in each of the 26 constituencies. We should have 1.3 million members in the state. This can be achieved since already prominent groups and individuals are offering support to the party,” Patel added.

Besides academicians, former bureaucrats and politicians, social groups such as those representing differently-abled people, HIV positive persons and denotified tribals are joining the party.