It’s all about the local issues, not national politics or leaders, says AAP’s C.V. Raman Nagar candidate Mohan Dasari

Despite setbacks in its stronghold, Delhi and an unsuccessful debut campaign in the last Karnataka elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hit the campaign trail again this election season.

Despite setbacks in its stronghold, Delhi and an unsuccessful debut campaign in the last Karnataka elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hit the campaign trail again this election season.

In an interview with The Hindu, Mohan Dasari, State working president and C.V. Raman Nagar candidate, speaks about what the party’s chances are, and why they are focussing on local issues.

AAP has not had a successful outing in the last elections in Karnataka. What are you expecting this time?

In 2018, when we fought the first elections, we hardly fought from 30 seats. Also, in Delhi, that was the first government we had. We didn’t have much of the contributions to share, whether it is the education and healthcare revolution. This election, we have a proven model to share. People ask for Delhi model education now when we go for campaigning. The other thing is the kind of work we have done over the years in C.V. Raman Nagar. Even though we got a smaller number of votes last time, we did not sit at home. We restarted everything, and now every year this constituency has a local office. Our internal survey is also predicting that we will win in C.V. Raman Nagar.

AAP is heavily dependent on a set number of faces in Delhi. In Karnataka, you have no prominent faces. Is that going to hurt your chances?

When we fought the 2013 elections in Delhi, no one was a prominent face. Everyone was a fresh face emerging out of the “India Against Corruption” movement. That’s how we are fighting in Karnataka as well. It’s all about the local issues. In Bengaluru, people are struggling for the last 10-15 years. It’s all about the local issues, not national politics or leaders. Wherever we are going, we talk about good government schools, area clinics.

More than one lakh people in lower-income class areas where they still lack basic necessities. If you go to Binnamangala slum, which is right beside the 100 ft Road, they don’t even have proper public toilets. When people travel On Old Madras Road, people talk about the roads. Just beside, in New Baiyappanahalli, when I asked them what’s the first priority, they asked for a public toilet. The women said they go to the railway line and how they feel insulted. We are talking about basic necessities - water connection, pothole-free roads, good government schools and hospitals and we are able to connect with the people.