Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is contesting in four Lok Sabha seats in Delhi - New Delhi, East Delhi, West Delhi, and South Delhi. Due to an electoral alliance, they had to leave three seats for Congress - AAP has already announced its candidates for all the four seats they retained.
For the New Delhi parliamentary seat, AAP has declared Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti as the candidate. Similarly, for East Delhi, they have put forward Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar, for South Delhi Tughlakabad MLA Sahi Ram, and for West Delhi, former Congress leader Mahabal Mishra has been announced as the AAP candidate.
It's noteworthy that the candidate announcements were made before Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. At that time, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was also jailed. It was after his release that Singh filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha and was sworn in by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar post-election results.
The political climate in Delhi has now completely transformed. Notably, each arrest led to AAP leaders claiming a primary contest in the Lok Sabha elections between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but now the situation has practically turned this prediction into a reality - Kejriwal's arrest before the Lok Sabha elections has changed the dynamic to BJP vs AAP.
As AAP gears up for a ‘do or die’ battle, the four Delhi seats become a question of prestige for them. This is AAP's chance to field its most powerful faces - it's not too late, and AAP could potentially declare new candidates like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain for the Lok Sabha elections.
While this move isn't guaranteed to win all seven seats in Delhi for AAP, the call to battle made by Sanjay Singh upon his release from jail suggests that AAP's strategy to run these prominent figures could pose a strong challenge to BJP.
1. AAP May Set a New Precedent
Whereas BJP deployed many of its heavyweights in the assembly elections and some through Rajya Sabha to further reach Lok Sabha, reports suggest that despite the wishes and advice of the Congress leadership and advisors, many Congress leaders have been reluctant to run for parliament.
In Congress, reluctance from many leaders to participate resulted in Bhupesh Baghel and KC Venugopal being given tickets for the Lok Sabha elections, particularly as a gesture of reproof. Even if the fear of defeat haunts Congress leaders, for AAP, this context means something entirely different.
As major party leaders hesitate to run for elections, AAP has the opportunity to set an example for others to follow.
2. AAP Will Be BJP's Steep Challenge
In Delhi, AAP has ticketed three of its current MLAs for the Lok Sabha. Excluding Mahabal Mishra, not one of the three other AAP candidates enjoys the level of popularity needed for a Lok Sabha bid.
Even if AAP's top four face reluctance, Mishra and three other significant faces could still contest the elections. Health issues may constrain Satyendra Jain, but Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Manish Sisodia are well prepared for a guerrilla fight.
Despite health concerns for Kejriwal and Singh, Atishi from AAP claims that Kejriwal's weight dropped post-arrest, and Singh was spotted on a wheelchair when moving from the hospital to Tihar Jail - but his subsequent performances indicate he is as fit as a politician needs to be.
If these leaders decide to contest for Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, it will be a formidable challenge for BJP, as they're tested AAP campaigners.
3. AAP Will Garner Public Sympathy
Political opponents often accuse Kejriwal and his allies of playing the victim card. This was the perception held even by Congress leaders until recently - but if leaders who've been arrested and released on bail, like Sanjay Singh, approach the public branding themselves as victims of BJP's political vengeance, people are more likely to believe them than ever before.
Should jailed politicians contest in the electoral arena, they're bound to receive direct sympathy from the public - and this could also serve as a barometer for public opinion on the allegations AAP has levied against BJP leaders.
4. AAP Has Found a New Leader
Ever since Kejriwal's incarceration, Sunita Kejriwal's stature has risen significantly, suggesting AAP has found a new leader in her. After his release, Sanjay Singh's visit to her home, offering his respects, seems to affirm this belief.
This eliminates concerns about who would lead as Delhi's CM should Kejriwal win a Lok Sabha seat - his wife Sunita Kejriwal is a viable successor.
5. AAP Has the Opportunity to Be Challenger Number One
Kejriwal had previously contested the 2014 elections against BJP's then prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from the Varanasi seat. While defeated by a large margin, Kejriwal had a significant vote tally - circumstances have once again presented him with a similar opportunity, which he can swiftly capitalize on.
Ultimately, whether AAP wins or loses in Delhi, they're set to emerge as the most tenacious opposition party in the 2024 elections!
