AAP to fast-track selection of candidates

The party is expected to disclose names of candidates in the next three weeks

With the Lok Sabha elections just four months away, the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to fast-track the candidate selection process.

The party, which released an application form for the aspiring candidates last week, is expected to disclose the names of candidates and the number of Parliamentary constituencies in the next three weeks. This will be followed by an announcement of its first list of candidates.

Sanjay Singh, who heads the party’s sub-committee which has been assigned to identify candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, said: “With the general elections just four months away, there is not enough to follow the elaborate candidate selection procedure laid down by the party, which we followed during the Delhi Assembly elections. We might skip some procedures while announcing the names of the candidates.”

The political affairs committee of the party, which is also the highest decision-making body, is expected to meet in the next two weeks to make a final decision.

The AAP has a presence in 309 districts and units in 22 States.

Sources in the party said the AAP is expected to contest 100-150 seats in 15-20 States. It was keen on contesting in States such as Delhi, U.P., Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Bihar where it has a strong presence. But States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and the North-eastern States may not see AAP faces in the coming polls.

Party rapidly expanding

Party leaders say there is a “visible surge” and an “overwhelming response” across the country after the party’s dream debut in Delhi. State party unit ranks are swelling by the day and over five lakh people have joined the party as members and volunteers, party sources said.

AAP leader Ashish Talwar told The Hindu : “The argument that AAP would not get supporters outside Delhi is wrong. In Tamil Nadu, which is far from north Indian politics, the party had to open a special helpline to simply take calls from people offering to become volunteers or members. In Karnataka, we have registered 30,000 members.”