Can Kejriwal’s AAP make a comeback once again in Delhi?

Despite good show in 2020 polls and various schemes, the going will be tough for the party in national capital

Hyderabad: It will probably be one of the toughest Assembly elections for the Aam Aadmi Party when it goes to the polls on February 5 in Delhi.

Despite its good show in the 2020 Assembly polls, when the ruling party won 62 seats, and the many schemes it launched during its rule, the going will not be easy.

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The AAP has been in the eye of the storm following the Delhi excise policy case, in which its convenor and former deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia besides MP Sanjay Singh were in jail. Later, former Chief Minister and party supremo Arvind Kejriwal too was jailed for over 5 months.

Then there was the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ row over which Kejriwal was under attack for “spending taxpayers’ money on luxury” contrary to his claims of being an ‘Aam Aadmi’ (common man).

Recently, after AAP announced its schemes, Kejriwal faced a major embarrassment when the two departments of the Delhi government claimed that these schemes did not exist.

BJP, which won eight seats, and the Congress that drew a blank in the previous Assembly polls, are now banking on anti-incumbency factor and corruption charges in which AAP got embroiled in the last two years.

Banking on schemes

Even before the poll dates were announced by the Election Commission (EC), Kejriwal released the party’s campaign song ‘Phir Layenge Kejriwal.’

The 3:29-minute song highlights AAP’s achievements during its tenure in office and aims to strike a chord with voters, emphasising continuity in governance.

From playing religious cards to trying to shower women and senior citizens with specific welfare schemes, the AAP is trying everything to secure its base and another term in office. It has already announced its candidates for all 70 constituencies as it bids to return to office for a third consecutive term.

Though the Congress and the BJP accused the AAP of being corrupt, Kejriwal’s party continues to project itself as ‘Kattar Imandaar’ (staunchly honest).

Polling for all 70 Assembly seats in Delhi will be held on February 5 and the votes will be counted on February 8, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Tuesday.

In this single-phase election, the entire process will be completed by February 10. According to the electoral roll, Delhi has 1.55 crore voters. More than 13,000 polling stations will be set up in Delhi.