In an unconventional move aimed at building voter trust, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate contesting the upcoming municipal elections in Vasai, Maharashtra, has submitted a legally notarized affidavit on a stamp paper to the electorate instead of relying on mere verbal promises.
A Pledge on Paper: Beyond Verbal Assurances
The candidate, Sunil Gupta, who is fighting from Prabhag 13-D in the Vasai-Virar region, has taken a unique step to ensure accountability. Instead of just making campaign speeches, Gupta has formalized his commitment by getting a legal affidavit notarized on a Rs 100 stamp paper. This document has been formally submitted to the voters of his constituency.
The Core Promise: A Right to Question
The essence of the affidavit is a clear, time-bound promise. Sunil Gupta has pledged that if visible development work is not accomplished within a period of 24 months of his election, the voters will have the explicit right to question him. This move shifts the narrative from making vague promises to offering a concrete mechanism for holding the elected representative responsible.
Gupta, who uses the electoral symbol of the Broom (Jhadu), announced this initiative on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2026. In his post, he urged voters not to just vote but to "choose responsibility" and to "Hire the Engineer," referring to his own professional background. The news was subsequently reported on January 11, 2026.
Setting a New Precedent in Indian Local Politics
This action is seen as a direct attempt to differentiate his campaign in the competitive landscape of the Maharashtra civic polls. By leveraging a legal instrument like a notarized affidavit, the AAP candidate is trying to address the common public grievance of politicians failing to deliver on their pre-election assurances after winning.
The key elements of this political strategy include:
- Tangible Proof: Moving promises from speeches to a physical, legal document.
- Clear Timeline: Setting a specific 24-month deadline for visible results.
- Empowering Voters: Explicitly granting constituents the right to demand answers.
While the practical enforceability of such an affidavit against an elected municipal corporator remains a subject of legal debate, the symbolic value is significant. It positions accountability as the central theme of Gupta's campaign for the Vasai municipal elections.
This incident highlights the evolving tactics of political parties, especially the AAP, which has often championed anti-corruption and governance reforms, at the grassroots level of Indian democracy. It remains to be seen whether this approach will resonate with the voters of Prabhag 13-D and if it will inspire similar methods in other local elections across the state and country.
