AAP popularity ‘rattles’ Akali Dal

Tuesday, 12/01/2016

http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/

Chandigarh : Rattled by the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) went into a huddle today trying to understand the undercurrent favouring the new entrant in state’s polity and devising its strategy to counter them.

With the AAP strategy of weaning away “disgruntled” politicians from all parties taking shape, the party also discussed on how to ensure that their flock remained together, in two meetings held here today.

Concerned over the fascination of the youth – who now form 60 per cent of the voters – with the AAP the party discussed its strategy to deal with the “rookie party” with its MLAs and district presidents this afternoon and again in the core committee meeting held later this evening.

With AAP extensively using the social media to hit out at the government, Akalis too have decided to get tech savvy. A special training camp of party leaders will be held at Anandpur Sahib on Februrary 19 - 20, to teach them on using social media to propagate achievements of the government. The two -day training camp will focus on teaching the Akali leaders how to use Whatsapp and Facebook.

With the Maghi mela, scheduled for January 14, being touted as the “big political battle” between the three main political parties – Akali- BJP, Congress and AAP, the arrangements for making the Akali show successful was also discussed during the two meetings.

Leaders of Muktsar, Mogha, Ferozepur, Mansa, Fazilka and Abohar were asked to arrange for 15 buses of supporters each, while others were asked to ensure maximum participation at the event. With AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal expected to be present at the rally during the mela and Congress under Capt Amarinder Singh too expected to mobilise huge numbers, the Akali leaders have been asked to ensure the biggest crowd.

Sources said that during the meeting with MLA’s and district presidents held in the afternoon, party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked all leaders to gear up and face the new challenge mounted by AAP. Party leaders were told to use social media extensively and counter the negative campaigning against the government on social media. During the core committee meeting, held at the residence of chief minister and chief patron of the party, Parkash Singh Badal, in the evening, the leaders were told of the party’s plan to unfold various development schemes and a blue print of the schemes, along with the time frame in which these have to be completely implemented, were discussed. Other than Gurdev Singh Badal, Avtar Singh Makkar, Janmeja Simgh Sekhon and Ajit Singh Kohar, all other 13 members of the core committee were present in the meeting.

The issue of "revolt" by the Panj Piaras was also discussed. All core committee members were asked to find ways on how to resolve this crisis and how to re connect with the Sikh masses- the core vote bank of Akali Dal.