BBMP polls: AAP, Loksatta pin hopes on public meets

BENGALURU: While major political parties are banking on party symbols and their long standing existence to click, new political outfits like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Lok Satta are organising public interaction programmes to make their presence felt and make people aware of their party symbols.

AAP is holding Jana Sabha while Loksatta is organising Panchayati Katte to interact with people and gauge their pulse.

AAP national executive member Prithvi Reddy said the idea behind Jana Sabha or Beedi Sabha is to create awareness among the public about the existence of the BBMP and its duties and responsibilities.

He said the party has so far organised over 18 Jana Sabhas in the city to explain the people what is required from the civic body and expressed satisfaction over the public feedback. A few candidates from major parties are seeking to contest under AAP ticket, Reddy claimed.

The party is anxious about the elections as the government has approached Supreme Court seeking its postponement to carry out delimitation. In the absence of reservation matrix, it is a challenge for the party to identify 198 candidates who fit the requirements of the party and public. The party is meeting people from all walks of life, especially those in the lower income group as they depend on BBMP for everything, including education, Reddy said.

Loksatta party with its ‘whistle’ symbol is organising Panchayati Katte at various parts of the city. During such meetings the party candidates hear the people’s grievances and suggest possible solution. Ravikiran Kamble, who will be contesting from Jaraganahalli ward, had organised panchayati katte in the ward. Voter registration drives are also being organised to enrol more voters.