Delhi AAP missing impetus from Punjab, its diaspora

JALANDHAR: Locked in a tough electoral battle in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is, unlike the 2015 elections there, missing the impetus from Punjab - both money and volunteers. In the 2015 Delhi assembly polls, Punjabi NRIs had generously provided funds to AAP, while hundreds of volunteers from here had camped in the national capital for campaigning.
Even as some prominent AAP leaders from Punjab, including its state unit chief and lone MP Bhagwant Mann, MLAs and office-bearers have been campaigning in Delhi, the situation is drastically different.
"In 2015, I was in London and Punjabi diaspora was very keenly supporting AAP for the Delhi elections. Every weekend we would go to a chosen places, especially gurdwaras, to hold meetings and to encourage people. This time, I have not seen much activity among Punjabi NRIs," Australia-based Bhavjit Singh, who had remained associated with AAP's overseas unit, said. "People donated very generously at that time, but this time it is no where close to that. It would just be a small fraction of that contribution," he added.
Difference is also visible on Facebook - the preferred social media platform for Punjabi netizens. In the 2014 parliamentary election, the 2015 Delhi assembly elections, and the 2017 Punjab assembly election, AAP had biggest share of support from Punjabi netizens. Now, there are not many AAP supporters among Punjabi netizens left, even as scores of them are anti-BJP and post against it.