AAP announces candidates for Delhi, Haryana Lok Sabha elections

New Delhi, Feb 27: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has set the stage for an electoral battle in Delhi and Haryana by announcing its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, following a recent seat-sharing agreement with the Congress.

With the Election Commission yet to announce the national election calendar, hectic parleys have already begun in candidate selection and nearly all political party offices are seen full of aspiring candidates visiting the office along with their supporters.

With the Congress yet to unveil its contenders, all eyes are now on the NDA or Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) list, as the capital braces for a direct showdown between the AAP-Congress Alliance and the BJP.

In Delhi, AAP's nominees include leader Somnath Bharti for New Delhi, Sahiram Pehalwan for South Delhi, Mahabal Mishra for West Delhi, and Kuldeep Kumar for East Delhi. Meanwhile, Sushil Gupta will represent the party in Haryana's Kurukshetra constituency.

Senior AAP figures emphasised the selection process, highlighting the importance of candidates' potential to secure victories. Gopal Rai speaking to the media emphasised the party's commitment to candidates deeply connected to public service, contrasting them with MPs who are perceived as disconnected from the public.

AAP's decision to field Kuldeep Kumar, a Scheduled Caste candidate, for the general seat in East Delhi is seen as an important change, marking a departure from traditional caste-based politics. AAP and Congress alliance strategy to challenge the dominance of the BJP, which secured all parliamentary seats in Delhi during the 2019 elections with quite a big margin will be seen by poll observers with much interest.