The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken an early step towards its 2025 Delhi Assembly election campaign by releasing its first list of 11 candidates. The list includes several prominent turncoats who previously held positions in other political parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. The party aims to present a diverse set of candidates for the upcoming elections, which will be critical for Arvind Kejriwal’s continued leadership in Delhi.
First List of AAP Candidates:
- Brahm Singh Tanwar – Chhatarpur (former BJP leader)
- Anil Jha – Kirari (former BJP leader)
- Deepak Singhla – Vishwas Nagar
- Sarita Singh – Rohtas Nagar
- BB Tyagi – Laxmi Nagar (former BJP leader)
- Ram Singh Netaji – Badarpur
- Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad – Seelampur (former Congress leader)
- Veer Singh Dhingan – Seemapuri (former Congress leader)
- Gaurav Sharma – Ghonda
- Manoj Tyagi – Karawal Nagar
- Sumesh Shokeen – Matiala (former Congress leader)
The list of turncoats underscores AAP’s strategy to attract experienced political figures from rival parties ahead of the high-stakes February 2025 Delhi elections. This follows a trend where parties across India attempt to consolidate resources and strengthen their position by welcoming leaders with a significant following.
Setbacks for AAP:
In a significant blow to the party, Kailash Gahlot, a key member and former minister in the AAP government, resigned from the party and joined the BJP. Gahlot’s resignation highlighted internal challenges within the party, citing issues such as “embarrassing controversies,” “unfulfilled promises,” and the “grave challenges” it faces. This defection could impact AAP’s political dynamics and strategy leading into the elections.
Kejriwal’s Address to Party Workers:
Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP national convenor, has framed the 2025 Delhi elections as a “dharmayudh” (righteous war). In his address, he emphasized that the party workers should not focus solely on individual candidates but instead work as if Kejriwal himself were contesting from all 70 seats. He also reiterated his vision of providing six key “free revris” (benefits) to the people of Delhi, including free electricity, water, healthcare, education, pilgrimage, and bus travel for women, stressing that the BJP’s primary goal is to stop these welfare measures.
Kejriwal’s remarks also pointed to the BJP’s lack of will to serve the people of Delhi, claiming that while the BJP has significant resources, it has not delivered substantial results for the citizens. In contrast, AAP, despite limited resources, has remained committed to serving the people of Delhi.
BJP’s Response:
The BJP responded strongly to Kejriwal’s comments, focusing on the corruption allegations against the AAP government. The BJP claimed that these accusations would ultimately cause AAP to lose the upcoming elections. The ongoing controversy, including the excise policy case, continues to be a source of tension between the two parties as they prepare for the electoral battle.
Key Takeaways:
- Turncoat Candidates: AAP’s strategy involves bringing in experienced leaders from BJP and Congress to bolster its chances in key constituencies.
- Internal Setback: Kailash Gahlot’s defection to the BJP represents a significant internal challenge for AAP.
- Election Strategy: Kejriwal’s call for unity and focus on the party’s welfare agenda contrasts with BJP’s focus on corruption allegations, setting the stage for a contentious campaign.
