It’s not rocket science: Sandeep Pathak, ex-academician driving AAP’s poll strategy

A day after he was appointed as the national general secretary (organisation) of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sandeep Pathak, in an exclusive interview with The Federal, underlined his new role. He spoke on how he intends to build the organisation in states with no AAP presence and strengthen it in those where it has managed to build a base.

Elected to the Rajya Sabha in April this year, the former academician is now also a permanent invitee to the AAP’s highest decision-making body, the political affairs committee.

Also read: Punjab, Goa, now Gujarat: AAP emerging as Congress’ party pooper

Reflecting on a range of issues — from his transition from academics to politics, to the party’s national ambitions going into 2023 and 2024 elections, and how the party can reap the benefits of a strong organisation — the former assistant professor at IIT-Delhi stressed upon the growing acceptance of AAP with voters and how the ‘Delhi Model’ of development resonates with the people.

Excerpts from the interview:

What will be your role in the new post in AAP?

My role is very well-defined. I am tasked to initiate an organisation-building exercise across states and spread the ‘Delhi Model’ of development. People are very aware about the work undertaken by Arvind Kejriwal and therefore they want the work to be replicated in their states too.

There are AAP supporters and workers, so it is very important to channelise their efforts in the right direction. I will basically focus on this aspect.

How will you approach the elections in 2023 and 2024?

Cadre-building exercises will take the centrestage. Rest everything will revolve around it. A political party’s biggest task is to convince people about its politics. We will definitely highlight the ‘positive politics’ that the AAP does.

You have been credited for strengthening the organisation. Can you tell us about it as you have transitioned from academics to politics.

There are many people who have equally been instrumental in strengthening the organisation. It has been a collective effort.

It is not a very difficult task if one is honest and diligent. It’s not rocket science. In our case, we just had to identify the right person for the right position and give him the responsibility. Everything else just happens naturally.

How was your experience in Gujarat and Punjab where you chose to be away from the limelight?

It was a great experience. Especially in Punjab, people were very impressed with AAP’s ‘politics of development’. People were really frustrated with the performance of all the other parties in the state.

Also read: AAP restructures Gujarat unit ahead of Assembly polls; says ready to take on BJP

We didn’t do anything different. We just showed how the issue of governance can be taken up if the political leadership has the will.