‘Dirty’ Marks On The Clean Party

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has failed to impress the voters in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, according to the exit poll results. The surveys predicted a poor result for the AAP indicating that people have not believed the words of party leaders, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

The speculation that AAP, floated a decade ago, would be confined to Delhi is gaining ground. Since 2012, former IAS officer Arvind Kejriwal had been successful in spearheading the political outfit that took shape from the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. AAP had come to power for a third time in Delhi beating the national parties — BJP and Congress. Kejriwal could gain the trust of the Delhi public after fulfilling his promise of free electricity and water. Internal bickerings in the Congress also helped AAP register victory in Delhi.

Involvement in scams

In the last two years, the leaders of AAP had been frequently facing allegations of involvement in corruption. They have been going to the jails and videos of the leaders spending their time in relaxation there made the public look at AAP leaders with suspicion. Ahead of the polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Delhi liquor scam was unearthed and Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s name was associated with it. Kejriwal’s personal secretary is also facing charges of involvement in the scam. Surveys revealed that the corruption charges against the AAP leaders had an impact on the voters’ decision. Voters in Gujarat and Himachal agreed that AAP’s involvement in corrupt politics had an impact on their voting. The BJP’s allegation that AAP was diverting the ill-gotten wealth in the elections proved correct.

Reacting to the exit poll results, Delhi CM Kejriwal said for a new party to get 15-20 per cent of vote share in BJP’s stronghold is a big deal.

Party lacks cadre

One other factor affecting AAP’s performance was lack of the party cadre at the grassroots-level in both the states. The surveys revealed that except Kejriwal and Sisodia who were visible in the party’s high-pitched campaigns, there was no cadre for the party in either Gujarat or Himachal Pradesh. Senior politicians said that lack of cadre had an adverse effect on the AAP in Gujarat as there were no party agents at the polling booths. Further, it has also been proved that defeating the BJP in Modi’s citadel is not an easy task. As long as he is the PM, Gujaratis would continue supporting Modi.

Congress votes

In Himachal Pradesh, AAP could affect the winning prospects of the Congress. The BJP and Congress would be involved in a neck-to-neck competition in this state with the former likely to surpass the latter as the AAP would split the Congress votes. The BJP is likely to win for a second consecutive term in this state, the exit polls predicted.

Delhi civic polls

The exit polls indicated a sweep for the AAP in the Delhi municipal polls. The BJP, which had been winning the Delhi civic polls since 2007, would be on a back foot. Of the total 250 wards, AAP is likely to win 155 and the BJP in 84, while the Congress is likely to slip to a meagre seven.