Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) seven candidates in Delhi for 2014 Lok Sabh elections may have not won any seat but the party is now considering giving ticket to most of them in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
"It is true that none of our seven candidates won in Delhi but at the same time it cannot be denied that all of them got huge number of votes. We are now seriously considering giving tickets to most of them for the upcoming Delhi elections as we think party would have a good chance with them," a senior AAP leader told dna.
AAP had fielded Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Rajmohan Gandhi, TV anchor-turned politician Ashutosh, journalist Ashish Khaitan, Rakhi Bidlan, Jarnail Singh, Professor Anand Kumar and Colonel Devender Sehrawat for 2014 elections. But none of them won in Delhi even as party's overall vote share in Delhi compared to 2013 Delhi assembly elections had increased.
A section in AAP is supporting this fact batting for fielding its Lok Sabha candidates. However, it has not been finalised as yet.
"There is strong support for this move within the party and a final decision would be taken by leadership in days ahead. However, not all of them may get a go ahead for Delhi assembly elections," said the senior AAP leader.
However, AAP sources, told dna that one or two among the seven may not agree to fight Delhi elections.
After winning 28 seats in 2013 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP had formed government in Delhi with Congress's outside support. AAP government had, however, resigned after 49 day rule in February 2014. Since then Delhi was under President's Rule.
Between February and November, AAP repeatedly alleged efforts from BJP to poach their MLAs to form government in Delhi. But, as per sources, several times AAP MLAs had pressurised AAP leadership putting them in tight spot.
"Work and actions of all AAP MLAs and leaders during past few months would be scrutinised. Work of leaders, who was not MLA, during the past year would also be looked at. Those who have worked for AAP unconditionally would certainly have a better standing," the senior AAP leader added.
Meanwhile, AAP which was demanding fresh polls in Delhi, has already been preparing for it. The party has already kicked off its the first phase of its campaign as it unveiled its first set of posters and hoardings in which it is asking Delhiites to compare performance of 49 days of Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government with that of first 150 days of Narendra Modi government at the centre.
AAP is comparing AAP rule with that of BJP on two main issues - hike in tariff of water and electricity in Delhi. AAP leaders argued that it is BJP at centre which has been indirectly ruling Delhi from Centre.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}