Mumbai: Putting all speculations to rest, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said it would contest both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Maharashtra. The party has decided to field candidates in the constituencies where they have a strong base. AAP leader Brigadier Sudhir Sawant said, “The AAP Maharashtra will contest both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Wherever a possibility appears of defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party would contest the polls.
Earlier, the party officials had said they had decided not to field any candidates in Maharashtra. Preeti Sharma Menon, the national spokesperson of AAP had said, the party will fight Lok Sabha polls in the four states — Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Goa, but not in Maharashtra. However, Sawant said, “The 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be a battle between different political coalitions and personalities.” He added, “People are tired of BJP’s fake announcement and they are looking for an alternative. It was evident from the way in which BJP was routed in the recent polls held in five states,” he added.
In the state executive committee meeting held on January 19, decided that aspirants should submit their applications for candidature by January 30. After the perusal and review of applications, the final names of the candidates will be declared. AAP officials said their efforts are on to forge an alliance with anti-BJP parties for the forthcoming polls. The final decision regarding this will be taken by February 5, said a party insider.
