Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, May 21: In response to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Lok Sabha candidate M R Vasudeva's statement to daijiworld that his decision to contest from the party was 'miscalculated' and that the structure of party's district unit was one of the reasons for his defeat in the elections, AAP on Wednesday May 21 expressed displeasure and said that Vasudeva's statement was 'unbecoming' of an MP candidate.

"Instead of building the party from its grass root level, it is rather unfortunate that the Dakshina Kannada MP candidate M R Vasudeva attributed his dismal performance in the elections to the 'ineffective structure' of the district unit of AAP. Citing his statement in a section of media, the active members of the party have expressed their displeasure over his statement terming it as 'unbecoming’ of an MP candidate," a press release from the party stated.

In a report published by daijiworld.com, M R Vasudeva was quoted as saying “There was strong opposition within the party to my candidature as I did not hold the primary membership of the party before being chosen as a candidate. This had sparked internal bickering in the AAP and a few people created much clamour. Many in the AAP backed me strongly, infusing courage and toiling hard for my success."

The report has also added that "The party structure in the district was very fragile as it was marred with differences of opinion. There was no consensus among the party workers on many strategies drawn ahead of parliamentary elections. There was no active participation of the cadres to bring in votes for the AAP."

The party executive committee has clarified that the core committee is introspecting the issue and that the Lok Sabha elections here was just a trial run as the party has a long way to go in reaching out to the villages and remote pockets of the district. "It is wrong to attribute the dismal performance of the party to the structure of the party and wash off one’s hands," the release stated.

"We shall do the needful to strengthen the party from the grass root level and take up issues of general concern. The core committee of the party in the district will meet soon to take stock of the situation and formulate strategies to work in this regard," the party said.

"M R Vasudeva’s statement that the party structure in the district was 'fragile' is purely a personal opinion and indicates his disgust over his personal performance. The party enjoys goodwill from large section of people and that it is generally felt by the members that Vasudeva could not take the active members together during electioneering. He should take personal responsibility for the failure rather than put the blame on the party and its members," stated the release.

"Right from the day of its inception on February 15, 2013, the party has grown steadily and the overwhelming response to the membership drive organized at BEM High School on January 9, 2014 speaks of the party’s goodwill among people of the district. However, the party functionaries admit that AAP could have done much better than the final result.

"We have learnt the processes involved in electoral politics and shall work to reach out to all sections of the society. The party will continue to work intensely in public interest and be a pressure group to enable our people representative to bring developmental projects to the district. While thanking all those who have helped in the electioneering process, the party also compliments Nalin Kumar Kateel for his convincing victory and hope he delivers the promises in the interest of the district," stated the press release.

Mangalore: Contesting from AAP was a miscalculated move: M R Vasudeva