Taking further their initiative of having a citizens’ candidate, a team of 500 volunteers, including housewives and youths, have begun campaigning for Hansel D’Souza for the October 13 assembly polls.
Unlike the political parties which shell out money to get volunteers, these people are offering their services free.
“Political parties are hiring volunteers for Rs350 per day and giving them biryani. We don’t have money and we have volunteers campaigning for us free of cost. They pay for their own food and travel,” said Mayank Gandhi, founder, Jagruk Nagrik Manch (JNM) which fielded D’Souza.
JNM has been allotted a drum as their election symbol. They plan to reach out to 2.80 lakh voters in the next 12 days.
While the youth are involved in door-to-door campaigning, it’s the housewives who have found an interesting way to urge people to vote. “We have a ladies group that does regular satsangs. Sometimes, we invite ladies for tea or a kitty party to create awareness about our candidate. I’ve visited 20 homes in two days,” said Sindhuben Daftari, Juhu resident.
“We want people to know that the means to win an election isn’t muscle power or money. We want to create awareness that someone from among us is fighting against the politicians,” said Chirag Purecha, a resident of Borivli.
Describing the strategy adopted by the young volunteers, Khushi Gandhi, 23, said, “We have been divided into various groups. We meet the secretary of housing societies or a federation chairman and arrange D’Souza’s meeting with them,” she said.
Adding a touch of glamour are model Sushma Reddy, singer Shaan, actor Ayub Khan, Rohit Roy and music director Vishal Dadlani. “I’m roping in all my friends to participate in padyatras,” said Reddy.
