Led by Arvind Kejriwal has now decided to shed its tag of being a party of ‘aam aadmi’ or common man

New Delhi: Stung by consecutive electoral drubbings and infighting, the Aam Aadmi party led by Arvind Kejriwal has now decided to shed its tag of being a party of ‘aam aadmi’ or common man.

A report said on Thursday that the legislators of the Delhi’s ruling party feel that AAP lost because people didn’t notice or recognise its candidates in their constituencies because of their ‘aam aadmi’ or common man image. 

During a brain-storming session, which was called to assess reasons for the party’s humiliating defeat in the recent MCD polls, it was decided that from now onwards the AAP MLAs will behave like ‘netas’ and move with entourage.

AAP MLAs feel that the ruling party has lost its ‘connect’ with Delhi voters, which needs to be re-established.

Accordingly, the AAP lawmakers will now shed their ‘aam aadmi’ image and put on a more recognisable ‘neta’ look to beat the perception that voters fail to notice them because of their “simplicity”.

“I have roamed like a common man in these two years, minus the white khadi suit that politicians of the BJP or Congress usually wear,” Seemapuri AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam was quoted as saying.

Gautam, too, called for an urgent image makeover for the AAP to gain public attention.

However, if the party, which is an offshoot of the 2011-2012 anti-corruption movement, moves as per its plan and sheds its ‘aam aadmi’ image it will be contrary to its know stand against corruption.

The AAP has always pressed for austerity, demands simplicity from its members, and discourages any spectacle such as long convoys typically associated with Indian ‘netas’ or political leaders.

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was the first to give up the red beacon or “lal batti”, a coveted symbol of status, on his car in 2015 after winning 67 of the 70 assembly seats in the city. 

His ‘muffler man’ image is said to be carefully cultivated to underscore the party’s connect with the common people, its core vote base. But Kejriwal found out during his interactions with AAP legislators after the civic poll loss about the flipside of the impression.

“It’s funny but true. Kejriwalji and the party have said that every MLA will now have at least four volunteers with him all the time. Wearing the AAP’s trademark cap during public visits is mandatory,” Chandni Chowk legislator Alka Lamba said.

Bureau Report