Kejriwal now wants AAP to party in Goa

After the AAP's stupendous victory in Delhi last year, many had wondered what the way ahead for the party would be. A foray into Punjab seemed a natural next step given that it was Punjab where the party had put up its best performance during its otherwise disastrous outing in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. However, what has surprised observers is the growing buzz about the AAP in Goa.

Silently, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has worked its way to become the talk of the town in the small coastal state of Goa. It is increasingly being noticed, and is being attacked by both the BJP and Congress - the two parties that dominate Goa's political landscape.

The state is swarming with AAP volunteers canvassing for the polls due next year. The toddler of yesterday increasingly seems like a giant of tomorrow. As the state's political class awaits with bated breath for Kejriwal's mega rally on Sunday (May 22), let's try to understand the factors that explain this unexpected boom of the broom in Goa.

1. A political vacuum caused by disillusionment with existing political system

Goa is a beautiful place endowed with abundant natural resources. But its natural wealth has become a curse. The state has been looted by the mining mafia in connivance with a compromised political class.

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The mining mafia has wrecked the environment, caused a loss of state revenue, trampled upon the land rights of the local population and jeopardised law and order. The menace of illegal mining reached its peak under the erstwhile Congress regime until courts had to step in. The present BJP regime that came to power promising to end this menace and put the guilty behind bars hasn't been up to the task. The mining mafia continues to rule the roost as the political class, comprising both the Congress and BJP, is itself a stakeholder in this loot.

The state also suffers from poor healthcare and education systems. Political dynasties are endemic in the state making the ordinary people of Goa even more alienated from the political class.

The only solution the BJP regime seems to offer is talks of replacing the chief minister. Also the Congress' past misadventures present the Goa electorate little to choose from - it's like devil or the deep sea for them. Thus there exists a political vacuum that has resulted from the disillusionment with the existing political class. It is this political vacuum that underpins the AAP's rise.

2. Energetic and innovative volunteers

This political vacuum signifies a distinct opportunity. But it still has to be tapped through hardwork and dedication. Till last year, the AAP could not make much of an impact despite the political vacuum. But over time, it has seriously worked on fixing its local organisation and today, it has an active volunteer base of over 5,000 who are going across the state with the message of change.

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Then there are volunteers from outside Goa who are also pitching in. The same kind of energetic and innovative approach that yielded rich dividends in Delhi is being tried here. Door-to-door campaigning is helping the AAP get more intimate with the electorate. The ability of the AAP to garner more passionate volunteers who can inspire trust in others is a factor that makes the party stand out.

3. Allure of the Delhi model

The AAP's message in Goa relies significantly on the achievements in Delhi. The steps for improvement of healthcare and education taken by the Delhi government are being appreciated by the ordinary people of Goa, troubled as they are by a broken healthcare and education system. Savings on public projects like building flyovers in Delhi is again something that is helping the the AAP impress the voters in Goa.

The Delhi model is also appealing because as in Delhi, the AAP rise in Goa is premised on breaking the foothold of established players. The ordinary voter in Goa, who had no platform for getting into politics as the space was monopolised by the existing biggies, is getting an opportunity to enter public service. The sons and daughters of working class people are behind the AAP surge in Goa as in the AAP they see a party where they too can be the representatives and not just the represented.

4. Small size like Delhi

Goa, like Delhi, is a small state. It can be criss-crossed in a matter of few hours. For a new party, this small geography significantly reduces the entry barrier. It can deploy resources everywhere. The small size of Goa is allowing the AAP to make a foray without too much of cost.

5. Presence of minorities and weakness of Congress

Goa is a state with a high minority population (26.5 per cent Christians and 8.3 per cent Muslims). Given the national political environment marred by issues like beef ban, ghar wapsi, love jihad and coerced chanting of "Bharat Mata ki jai", the minorities are obviously not too happy with the BJP.

But the Congress is not much of a choice either. The Congress organisation in Goa is as non-existent and decaying as it's elsewhere and the Congress suffers from debilitating infighting.

The constant run-in of the AAP with the Modi government helps it gain sympathy of the minorities who too are at the receiving end of the excesses of the BJP regime. Also its secular and honest image makes it an appealing prospect for the minorities. This is perhaps why rumours abound trying to link the AAP with RSS so as to prevent it from consolidating minority support.

Challenges

While we have discussed the many factors that are keeping the AAP going strong in Goa, it is necessary to underline that the party still has a long road ahead if it wants to make an impact in Goa as forceful as in Delhi.

It will have to brace up to deal with rumours such as the one about it being the B-team of the RSS. Also, it will have to do a lot to shed the outsiders tag. Lack of a prominent local face is another handicap it will have to sort out if the promise of the AAP's rise in Goa is to come true. The party must also be weary of losing the momentum as elections are still a year away. It must remember that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.

Therefore, while there are obvious challenges that the AAP must tackle in its struggle for dominance in Goa, there is no denying the fact that the AAP is rising in Goa today.

The state seems ready for the AAP but the question the party will need to answer in the coming time is, is the AAP also ready for Goa?