The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Thursday announced its decision to contest the municipal elections in the Capital next month. The party is hoping to capitalise on the inconvenience caused to the average citizen because of demonetisation to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and alleged corruption in government departments against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Focus on ‘clean image’
Usha Yadav, chief of the SP’s Delhi unit, said the party would field candidates with “a clean image” on each of the 272 municipal wards. Ms. Yadav said the party would declare its first list of candidates by March 30.
“The process to assess potential candidates is in its final stages. The SP intends to field candidates with a clean image,” she said in a statement.
Interestingly, Ms. Yadav said that many BJP members were keen to contest the elections on an SP ticket after their own party decided to drop them as potential candidates.
“Many councillors from the BJP are in touch with the party. However, the SP’s first preference will be dedicated and honest candidates with a clean image. It is only after the latter are decided that the party will even consider those from other political parties,” she added.
Demonetisation and the alleged inconvenience caused to the Delhiites would be a significant issue that the SP plans to use against the BJP, Ms. Yadav said. “The people of Delhi had to go through a lot of trouble due to demonetisation. This will be a major issue for us, besides the corruption in the incumbent AAP, which is also causing problems to the citizens,” she went on to say.
Ms. Yadav also alleged that many government departments, such as Health and the Delhi Jal Board, were reeling under corruption since the AAP came to power in the Capital, which the SP now intends to use against it.
