As the assembly polls in Delhi approach, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is strategically directing its efforts toward its home state and not investing significant resources in the upcoming elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Despite previously attempting to establish a foothold in these states during the 2019 elections, AAP’s results were disappointing, prompting the party to rethink its approach.
According to sources within the party, AAP has not engaged in formal discussions about the number of seats it might contest in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Instead, the party’s leadership is prioritizing the Delhi elections, believing it essential to focus their energy where they have the strongest support. “We put a lot of strength into Haryana, and with Delhi elections coming up, our focus is clear,” stated an AAP leader who wished to remain anonymous.
While AAP has yet to finalize its plans for the two states, it has indicated a willingness to contest on seats where they believe they have sufficient manpower and viable candidates. The decision on the number of seats to contest will be made in the coming week. Historically, AAP has maintained a presence in Mumbai and surrounding areas, while also eyeing select constituencies in Jharkhand.
In the previous assembly elections in 2019, AAP faced considerable challenges. In Maharashtra, the party contested 24 of the 288 seats, yet 23 candidates failed to secure even the deposit required to stay in the race, garnering only 57,855 votes—less than the NOTA (None of the Above) votes, which amounted to 7.42 lakh.
Similarly, in Jharkhand, AAP contested 26 out of 81 seats, and all candidates lost their deposits, receiving a mere 35,252 votes compared to the 2.05 lakh votes cast for NOTA. The combined votes AAP received in both states accounted for less than one percent of the total votes cast.
In contrast, the recently concluded Haryana elections proved to be equally unfruitful, with AAP contesting all 90 seats and failing to win a single one. However, the party found success in Jammu and Kashmir, securing the Doda assembly seat, thereby expanding its presence across five states. Alongside their governments in Delhi and Punjab, AAP also holds two MLAs in Goa and five in Gujarat.
With assembly elections just around the corner, AAP appears committed to channeling its resources and efforts into securing a stronghold in Delhi, leaving Jharkhand and Maharashtra to fend for themselves in this electoral cycle.