New AAP MLAs Fight Identity Crisis (Poll Sidelights)

New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) The AAP fought the Delhi assembly elections with utmost fervour and bagged 67 of the 70 seats. However, the newly-elected
MLAs fought another battle, that of "identity".

With many of the newly-elected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs "lesser known" among the masses, most of them went unnoticed or had to introduce themselves to even those awaiting their arrival at the party's first meeting with chief Arvind Kejriwal at central Delhi's Constitution Club.

Many of the MLAs had to also introduce themselves to the police personnel deployed at the counting centre in the New Delhi constituency after being denied entry while many went unnoticed by the media awaiting their arrival.

The party fielded 37 new candidates this election, from the 70-members last time.

-*-

Pickpockets have a field day

Amid euphoria outside a counting centre in east Delhi, some pickpockets utilised the opportunity to steal mobile phones and wallets of people celebrating the victory of AAP candidate Manish Sisodia.

Many people rejoicing in the victory of the Aam Aadmi Party's landslide victory, were soon in for a loss after they realised their wallets and mobile phones had been picked.

"I was here to witness the AAP's victory and joined the party volunteers who were dancing. It was only after I left the crowd and hailed a rickshaw that I realised I had lost my wallet," Pradeep Kumar told IANS.

According to the police, around five to six mobile phones and three-four wallets were stolen from the area.

-*-

Lucky stars!

Some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who were initially keen on contesting the Delhi polls heaved a sigh of relief after the results were declared.

A leader who was keen on contesting from a west Delhi seat told IANS that the election results were a "shocker" and he was glad he was denied a ticket.

Another leader who was interested in contesting the polls echoed similar sentiments.

"We are happy that we did not contest the polls. Not contesting is better than facing such humiliating defeat," a leader told IANS.

-*-

Celebrations with dance, flowers

While AAP leaders Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Ashish Khetan, Pankaj Gupta and Kumar Vishwas were seen dancing inside the office premises, thousands of enthusiastic supporters celebrated the party's unprecedented victory with impromptu victory jigs and roadshows across the city.

Soon after the results reflected the party's win, volunteers took out a rally across the city in open jeeps wearing trademark party caps and holding the party . Some were seen waving "jhadoos" - the party symbol.

Slogans like "Paanch saal Kejriwal" echoed across the city, and those celebrating the victory at the party headquarters in East Patel Nagar were
showered with flower petals from the terrace.

-*-

Graphic AAP posters a hit

Posters designed by graphic designer and AAP supporter Deepak Sehgal were a huge hit at the counting centre in New Delhi constituency from where party chief Kejriwal won by over 31,000 voters.

Sehgal, a resident of Okhla, who got associated with the party nearly two years ago designed two posters — one in which Kejriwal's face has been used in place of actor Ajay Devgan with the title "Singham Returns".

The poster also said: "February 15 join the Ram Leela Maidan Delhi Arvind Kejriwal takes chief minister shapath grahan samaroh (oath taking ceremony)."

Another poster showed the AAP chief ministerial candidate in the backdrop of India Gate and Qutub Minar with the title "Dilli ka CM aa gaya hai - Mufflerman - bijli aadhe rate par, paani muft dilaane" (The chief minister of Delhi is back, to halve power rates and make free water available).

Sehgal's posters became much sought after, and people bought them for Rs.20 each.

"Someone is determined to bring change to the country, why not do our bit," Sehgal asked, while speaking to IANS.

-*-

Birthday celebration!

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas birthday celebrations came on the day the AAP witnessed a landslide victory. Soon after the party's poll results became clearer, Kejriwal and other leaders ordered a cake for Vishwas. Vishwas cut the cake as others happily sang "Happy Birthday”.