Understanding in INDIA bloc on fighting Lok Sabha polls together: AAP
AAP has said that there is an understanding within INDIA on fighting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls together, putting to rest all doubts about a tie-up with Congress and other members of the Opposition alliance.
Following the pushback from its Punjab unit, where AAP had wrested power from Congress in February 2022, the party said that it would fight the Lok Sabha polls as part of the alliance.
Speaking exclusively to ET, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said, «The understanding is on the Lok Sabha elections and details about the seats and campaigns will be discussed and decided at an appropriate forum. But assembly elections are being fought separately.
AAP will contest assembly polls strongly.»
This is the first time the AAP has clarified on going with INDIA in the Lok Sabha polls. According to people aware of the matter, the party had sent feelers to Congress to fight the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh with INDIA parties but did not get any favourable response.
The AAP faces a challenge only in Punjab.
Apart from the reservations expressed by its state unit, the party's internal survey indicates that it has a chance of sweeping all 13 Lok Sabha seats. A senior AAP leader, who did not wish to be identified, told ET, «If we part with any seat to the Congress and it loses, then it is the loss of INDIA only.
This is the complexity which needs to be discussed. If they do not claim seats in Punjab, we can cede space in Delhi.»
