The Aam Aadmi Party, which stole the show in the Delhi Assembly poll, has been witnessing a heavy rush of followers to its official website and the Facebook page of its Kerala unit ever since the results came out on Sunday.
“We have been receiving an enormous response from the netizens. It is as if they were waiting for the Delhi poll results. The likes on the Facebook page had gone up by 40,000 since Sunday. There has been an overflow of enquiry mails and calls. Even our website was down for the past two days owing to overload,” the spokesperson of the Kerala unit of the party said.
One can directly apply for the membership online or can approach committee offices of the party for applying online. However, in Kerala, the party is yet to introduce offline membership, prevalent in many other states. The party representatives expressed hope that offline membership process would be launched in Kerala by January. “It is true that there is a rush for membership ever since the results were published. The membership is given online at the rate of Rs 10. However, the membership is taken directly in the national-level and we are not associated with it. However, hundreds are approaching us everyday seeking assistance to take membership and clarify doubts,” party state executive member Raimol R K said.
The Facebook page of Aam Aadmi Party Kerala marked 94,520 likes by Friday and is swelling. The well-maintained page keeps its followers updated with the party’s take on the latest issues sprouting up in the state and requests the opinion of its members. “Unlike many political parties, AAP is always open to public suggestions and comments. They are highly responsive and reactive. Traditionally, the official processes are considered to be a Herculean task and it takes a lot of time and effort. But becoming a member of AAP is more or less a cakewalk as the online admission is a simple process,” said Arun Ashok, a party member. Taking a membership in Aam Aadmi Party requires absolutely no paperwork. In order to become a party member, one has to submit an online form and make a payment of Rs 10 via a debit or credit card or internet banking. Those who do not posses any online payment facilities can still make the payment via post.
However, the party, which is still in its infancy, hasn’t expressed any interest in entering Kerala politics despite the unparalleled rush in online communities.