Aam Aadmi Party Launches 'Kejriwal in Bihar' Campaign
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a campaign titled 'Bihar mein bhi Kejriwal' (Kejriwal in Bihar too), aiming to establish a political foothold in Bihar and reconnect with Purvanchali voters from Delhi.
Bihar Election: A New Political Journey from Delhi to Bihar
AAP's campaign slogan, "Those who drove Biharis out of Delhi, the people of Bihar will drive BJP out of Bihar," reflects a strategy to strengthen its political base in both states simultaneously. The party aims to regain the support of Purvanchali voters in Delhi, who have become marginalized, while simultaneously establishing a political presence in Bihar.
Madrasi Camp Demolition: A Political Weapon
The recent demolition of the 'Madrasi Camp' slum in Delhi, displacing many people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, has been used as a political tool by AAP. Saurav Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh have visited the affected areas, highlighting the issue in Parliament and promising to raise it in Patna.
AAP plans to raise this issue in Parliament and organize a protest in Patna to demonstrate to the people of Bihar that the BJP government in Delhi is acting unjustly towards them.
Reconnecting with Purvanchal Voters
The alienation of Purvanchali voters was considered a major reason for AAP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. AAP is now attempting to reassure the Purvanchali community about the benefits of the Arvind Kejriwal government and the shortcomings of the current BJP government.
The party is not only contacting Purvanchali voters in Delhi but also urging them to convince their families and relatives in Bihar that AAP is a better alternative to the BJP.
Arvind Kejriwal's Absence; Rakesh Yadav Takes the Lead
The 'Bihar mein bhi Kejriwal' campaign is not being led by Kejriwal himself. Rakesh Yadav, the party's Bihar convener, is spearheading the seven-phase campaign. The party's strategy involves utilizing local faces in Bihar, contrasting with a more active role for party leadership in Delhi and Punjab.
Bihar is among the states where Kejriwal will not actively campaign, indicating a reliance on local leadership to execute the party's electoral strategy.
Preparations for the 2027 Elections
AAP is actively preparing for the Assembly elections in the next two years. The party has categorized states into two groups: those where Kejriwal will lead the campaign (e.g., Punjab, Gujarat), and those where elections will be fought relying on local leaders (e.g., Bihar).
Currently, AAP is planning to contest all 243 Assembly seats in Bihar independently, without any indication of forming an alliance with any other party.