AAP to fight BJP in strong states; Delhi to be its model for LS poll

NEW DELHI: The AAP national executive on Friday decided to contest parliamentary polls in states where the BJP is strong and monitor the emerging situation in the country before taking a call on joining the grand alliance. The works of Delhi government would be its model to campaign for LS poll.

"The Aam Aadmi Party will fight against this autocracy by challenging the BJP in states where it is strong," senior leader Gopal Rai said. Rai, when asked about AAP's participation in 'Mahagathbandhan', said, "We will monitor the situation in the country and take a decision accordingly." Mahagathbandhan is a grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting also discussed the condition of farmers in the country. "The BJP has cheated the farmers and the Congress which won in three states recently on the promise of loan waiver is also doing it partially," said Rai. A meeting of the National Council of the party will be held on Saturday.

According to sources, AAP would not look into the alliance with Congress at this stage as the future of Mahagatbandhan is yet to be decided.

Sources said that more than the Delhi Pradesh Congress, it is the high command which is eager to take the AAP in the alliance. AAP, for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, planned to focus on the Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Among these three states, in Delhi, both the parties are majorly distant from each other. "If we make an alliance keeping in mind the all India scenario what benefit will AAP get in Delhi?" asked a senior leader of the party.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Delhi BJP won all the seven seats followed by AAP and Congress in second and third position respectively.