Arvind Kejriwal, National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party, launched a fund-raising campaign in Bengaluru on Sunday a day after the campaign for Delhi Assembly elections picked up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack on AAP.
Mr. Kejriwal’s campaign in the city is expected to have mopped up “at least Rs. 1.75 crore” according to party functionaries. At the time this report was filed, Prithvi Reddy, Karnataka in-charge of the AAP, said: “We are still tabulating results and we are sure of having raised funds totalling Rs. 1.75 crore and expect it to be more.”
Majority of the funds was collected on Sunday by the nearly 200 AAP supporters, who were specially invited to have lunch with the ‘mufflerman’. Majority of those who attended lunch were city-based techies and entrepreneurs.
Karnataka had contributed Rs. 2.5 crore to the AAP’s funds for the Lok Sabha elections. Besides this, an identical sum was collected to meet its election expenditure in Karnataka as well. Response to Sunday’s fundraiser, the party claimed was “overwhelming” and showed that Bengaluru remained a strong support base of AAP.
While over 1,000 people had enrolled for selfies with Mr. Kejriwal. However, only 25 of them were lucky to pose for a picture with him and they were chosen through a draw of lots.
A confident Mr. Kejriwal averred at a public function in the city that he was overwhelmed with the response he received here. “Your response has boosted the level of my blood,” he said.
Kejriwal sidelights
Supporters chanted ‘Paanch Saal’ Kejriwal as they welcomed Arvind Kejriwal to a thunderous applause
‘Welcome Mufflerman’ placards greeted him at the venue.
Kejriwal refused to accept a muffler from a supporter. The same muffler was used to hold the mike as it was giving out a mild electricity shock due to lack of proper grounding.
Volunteers were seen cleaning the corridors of the college where the public function was held.
AAP supporter Manjunath, a person with physical disability, drove all the way from Ramanagaram on his three-wheeler to listen to Mr. Kejriwal.
He was carried on a chair to the third floor, the venue of the programme, as the building does not have an elevator.
