AAP feels Delhi elections could be held with Jharkhand state polls

The term of the current Delhi Assembly comes to an end on February 22, 2020

[File] AAP claimed that in the run up to the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had poached two of its MLAs | PTI [File] AAP claimed that in the run up to the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had poached two of its MLAs | PTI

The Aam Aadmi Party has flung itself headlong into election mode in the national capital, expressing the view that there is a likelihood of the Assembly elections in Delhi getting advanced, to be held together with the state polls in Jharkhand, which are likely to be held in November-December.

The AAP had earlier said that it felt the elections in Delhi could be clubbed with the polls in Maharashtra and Haryana in October, and that formed the backdrop for the Arvind Kejriwal government to announce a series of freebies for the denizens and launch its voter outreach programme. The reason why the ruling party feels that the elections could be advanced is the assessment that the BJP could be keen on cashing in on the momentum built in favour of the party by its dazzling victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

It is felt that the BJP would want to make up for its weaknesses at the local level compared to the robustness of the central BJP by riding on the successes of the Narendra Modi government. Also, it is reasoned that there is merit in believing that if the BJP wins handsomely in Maharashtra and neighbouring Haryana, it would prefer it if elections in Delhi were advanced.

The term of the current Delhi Assembly comes to an end on February 22, 2020, with the first sitting of the present Vidhan Sabha held on February 23, 2015. Elections are due in the capital in early 2020. However, the AAP, without losing any time after the Lok Sabha poll debacle, has got into the act for the Assembly elections. The May verdict had come as a big blow to the AAP, with the BJP sweeping Delhi, winning all seven seats on offer, and Kejriwal's party getting relegated to the third spot in five of them.

AAP leaders feel that the party is better placed in the state elections as there is huge recall value for the work done by the Kejriwal government in the areas of school education and healthcare. The concessions announced in electricity and water rates, they feel, holds the party in good stead. It is felt that the party's core vote bank comprising people residing in unauthorised colonies and lower-middle-class areas is intact.

However, the announcement that the party is getting into top election gear could have more to do with rattling the rival BJP in Delhi than any real fear that the elections could be advanced. “We are fully prepared for elections, no matter when they are held. All the same, we want to be ready for the eventuality of the elections getting advanced,” said a senior AAP leader.

As per law, elections can be held six months before the Assembly term comes to an end. However, the Election Commission does not appear to be predisposed to advancing elections. Concerning questions why elections in Jharkhand, whose Assembly was coming to an end on January 5, were not announced together with Maharashtra and Haryana, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said why should the EC advance polls. He said the decision to dissolve the Assembly and make way for early elections lay with the ruling side in that particular state.