Capitalising on its dream debut in Delhi and the subsequent “wave” across the country, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday finalised its plans to contest the Lok Sabha elections next year. Releasing application forms for those who want to contest the Parliamentary elections, the party asked “honest” people to join the AAP.
The AAP on Thursday also constituted a sub-committee under the party’s Parliamentary affairs committee to look into preparations for the 2014 elections.
While talking to the media, member of the party’s national executive Sanjay Singh said: “After the brilliant performance of the party there is a huge wave throughout the country. Thousands of people are coming forward and joining the party across several States and we want to take advantage of the surge in support.”
AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said: “The two members — national secretary of the party Pankaj Gupta and Mr. Singh — will look after the preparations for the Lok Sabha polls. They will help in making the party’s election manifesto and other poll-related issues.”
The two leaders are also expected to help party volunteers across the country in poll preparations. The party has presence in 309 districts. Sources said the party is expected to contest from a minimum of 100 seats.
The party’s move has also been taken in order to mobilise masses ahead of the elections.
Asked how many seats the AAP will contest, Mr. Yadav said the party would declare its national strategy only after talking to the volunteers on the ground.
The AAP fighting from all Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were not final decisions, asserted Mr. Yadav. “These are the enthusiastic response and proposals of the State units of the party and are yet to be approved by the decision making bodies in the party,” he said.
The eligibility criteria the party has set for the aspiring candidates are no different from those applying for the Assembly elections. The candidates should not have any criminal records, their character must be vouched for by residents, and they must face no corruption charges.
Besides, every Parliamentary hopeful will have to get 100 signatures per Assembly seat that fall in the Parliamentary constituency, to back their candidature.
