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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken a decisive step towards contesting all 90 seats in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, releasing its second list of candidates on Tuesday. The party's move comes after the failure of seat-sharing negotiations with its INDIA bloc ally, the Congress. With this announcement, the AAP has now declared 29 candidates for the October 2 elections.
The second list includes nine new candidates, covering seats like Sadhaura, Thanesar, Indri, Ratia, Adampur, Barwala, Bawal, Faridabad, and Tigaon. Notably, three of these seats – Thanesar, Bawal, and Faridabad – were contested by the AAP in the 2019 Assembly elections, highlighting their strategy to retain existing strongholds. Furthermore, the list reveals a direct clash with Congress candidates in Sadhaura and Thanesar, underscoring the growing tension between the two parties.
AAP sources, while blaming 'Delhi-based Congress leaders' for the stalled negotiations, have made it clear that the party will actively engage with rebels from various political parties, offering them a platform within the AAP. This move aims to strengthen the party's organization in existing strongholds and lay the groundwork for expansion into areas where its presence is currently weaker.
AAP Haryana president Sushil Gupta, reiterating the party's commitment to contesting all seats, emphasizes the need to replace the ruling BJP government. Gupta highlights the support for AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal within Haryana, citing public sentiment for change and improved governance. He also stresses the party's willingness to welcome individuals who share Kejriwal's ideology, regardless of their previous political affiliations.
In addition to the candidate announcements, the AAP has also gained the support of former Haryana minister Professor Chhatrapal Singh, who has joined the party. Gupta emphasizes the appeal of Arvind Kejriwal's vision for Haryana, highlighting promises of improved infrastructure, employment opportunities, and a drug-free and corruption-free state. He welcomes individuals who resonate with Kejriwal's policies, regardless of their past associations.
The announcement of the second candidate list and the subsequent strengthening of the party's position in Haryana marks a significant development in the upcoming Assembly elections. With the AAP actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy, including candidate selection, coalition building, and outreach to potential allies, the political landscape in Haryana is poised to become increasingly dynamic in the coming weeks leading up to the election.