At a time when its cadres, across the country, were revelling in the euphoria created in the aftermath of the Delhi Assembly poll results in December last year, things were much different for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Tamil Nadu.
Internal squabbles reached such a level that for a few weeks, observers were quite confused about who the authentic representatives of the party were.
Facing difficulties, from claims and counter-claims of expulsions and suspensions, to cases in courts challenging disciplinary action, the AAP in the State looked set for a breakdown in January. It took an assertive national leadership to finally quell the chaos.
However, ever since it set its house in order, the party in Tamil Nadu has managed to make the right noises. A surge in activity enabled the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit enrol more than 3.2 lakh members by mid-February, to quote Christina Samy, the State convenor for AAP, concentrated largely in the urban areas of the State. Its Facebook page for Tamil Nadu has more than 30,000 likes and continues to attract high traffic.
More importantly, the AAP has pulled in activists and politicians of repute to bolster its credibility. While anti-nuclear activist S.P. Udayakumar formally joined it after much persuasion, lawyer and former MLA from the AIADMK, Bader Sayeed looks set to contest from one of the three constituencies in Chennai. Keeping in with its national anti-corruption campaign, the outfit has also promised to take the fight to all tainted Members of Parliament by fielding candidates against them.
Forced to fightHowever, unlike in a number of States where the AAP has been projecting itself as an alternative to dominant political parties, it may be forced to fight for that space in Tamil Nadu where for the first time in decades, there is a pentangular contest on cards. In other words, deriving the benefit of “neutral” voters may take more effort than in other States.
In this fragmented electorate, does the party stand a chance to upset the heavyweights?
Political commentator Gnani Sankaran, who incidentally joined the AAP on Friday, is cautious with his predictions. The party has both weaknesses and strengths, he points out.
The AAP in Tamil Nadu is deficient in terms of a strong organisational structure, given that it has been hardly eight months since its inception.
“They have established an organisation. But like in the case of all new entrants, the organisation is still weak. Improving this is important as voters willing to back us have to be brought to the polling booth to make a difference,” he observes.
