Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has finalised its strategy for assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. AAP will launch the campaign from Rajasthan on Monday. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will hold a show of strength in Jaipur.
On Tuesday, both the leaders will go to Madhya Pradesh and hold a meeting in Bhopal to assess the atmosphere of the state.
AAP’s main focus is on Rajasthan. The AAP is looking at areas adjoining Punjab as a “soft target”. It hopes to win seats in areas with Punjabi influence.
AAP’s core team has seen three scenarios in Rajasthan. First, how much will the Congress suffer in the battle between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot and what will be Gehlot’s stand at the time of elections? Secondly, whether the BJP will give a free hand to Vasundhara Raje or not. But, the AAP believes that Vasundhara’s show of strength in Salasar has strengthened her claim. AAP feels that if Vasundhara becomes strong, congress will suffer.
In that situation, AAP sees an opportunity to capture the shrinking ground of the Congress. AAP has also taken feedback from some administrative officials. This has shown that the officers are also upset with the internal fight of the Congress. In many places, there is a situation where the minister belongs to the Gehlot camp, the MLA belongs to the Pilot camp and the MP belongs to the BJP.
Third, AAP is looking for leaders who win elections on the symbol of any party with their own influence. There are many independent MLAs those have played a role in forming the government.
After the poor performance in the Gujarat elections and the recent case of Manish Sisodia’s arrest in Delhi, the party wants to send a message to its volunteers that it will continue to struggle and expand the scope in the 2024 general elections. The party also wants to take advantage of the perception that the AAP believes converts the Congress vote.