AAP has deserted Purvanchali voters, contends JD(U)

The Aam Aadmi Party has deserted the Purvanchalis of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who voted it to power in Delhi, the Janata Dal (United) on Thursday alleged, saying that the community had now "switched over" to the Nitish Kumar-led political outfit.

Days ahead of the capital's Municipal polls, JD (U) national general secretary Sanjay Jha also claimed that the AAP's support base was "eroding fast" and that it would be the "biggest loser" in the elections.

His remarks come in the wake of the AAP suffering a loss in the bypoll for the Rajouri Garden Assembly seat, which was won decisively by the BJP.

"From autowallahs, rickshaw-wallahs, rehri-patriwallahs (auto-drivers and rickshaw and street cart pullers) to people living in unauthorised colonies, they all voted their heart out in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections. But did Arvind Kejriwal's party do anything for them after assuming power?"

"After seeing and hearing about Nitishji's governance in Bihar, they are warming up to the JD (U) as an electoral alternative," Jha told mediapersons.

Purvanchalis, according to Jha, constitute about 30 percent of the electorate in the national Capital and the JD (U) is going all-out to woo this "kingmaker community".