Amidst the corridors of New Delhi, on March 8, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, joined by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, inaugurated the party’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Their rallying cry echoed, ‘In the Parliament, Kejriwal’s presence will bring prosperity to Delhi.’ With general elections looming in April-May, the event unfolded at the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters on DDU Marg, in the company of party leaders and dedicated workers.
Kejriwal, addressing the gathering, shared his dedication to serving the people of Delhi, whom he regards as his extended family. “I’ve tirelessly worked towards the betterment of Delhi,” he affirmed. Expounding on their campaign slogan, he asserted, “With Kejriwal in Parliament, Delhi will thrive.” He highlighted the unique distinction of Delhi and Punjab being the only states under AAP rule to enjoy free electricity.
Pointing fingers at the BJP-led central government, Kejriwal accused the Delhi Lt Governor of obstructing every initiative launched by the AAP administration. He urged the electorate to fortify him by electing all seven opposition candidates to Parliament, citing the central government’s hostility towards their unconventional rise to power.
“They despise you for choosing an ordinary man to lead Delhi. They demolished Mohalla Clinics, halted door-to-door ration delivery, and disrupted essential services in hospitals,” Kejriwal alleged, emphasizing the challenges faced by the AAP government.
Campaign plans include the distribution of pamphlets outlining the party’s accomplishments, showcasing the transformative work accomplished during their tenure. Punjab Chief Minister Mann echoed Kejriwal’s sentiments, predicting a sweeping 13-0 victory for AAP in the Lok Sabha polls in his state. He accused the central government of hindering Kejriwal’s initiatives in Delhi and withholding funds earmarked for Punjab.
Mann expressed confidence that with a significant number of AAP MPs in Lok Sabha, Punjab’s funding and Delhi’s projects would face no opposition. The AAP is strategically collaborating with its INDIA bloc partner, Congress, with a seat-sharing arrangement in Delhi, Gujarat, and Haryana. However, in Punjab, both parties opted for independent participation, with AAP contesting four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and Congress fielding candidates for the remaining three.
Furthermore, AAP has secured constituencies in Bharuch and Jamnagar in Gujarat, as well as Kurukshetra in Haryana, as part of their agreement with Congress. In a separate declaration, AAP unveiled its candidates for the Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Sonitpur Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam. The stage is set for a dynamic electoral landscape, where AAP seeks to carve its unique path toward political prominence.