AAP Strategizes for Hat-Trick in Delhi Polls with Focus on Subsidies, Fresh Faces, and BJP Attacks

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Ahead of the 2024 Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is employing a multi-pronged strategy to secure a third consecutive win. With stiff competition from the BJP and Congress, the party is focusing on three key tactics: promoting its subsidy programs through the "revdi pe charcha" campaign, attacking the BJP-led central government, and addressing anti-incumbency by replacing several sitting legislators.

AAP is actively engaging in discussions across various wings of the party about six major subsidy schemes. Meanwhile, in a bid to refresh its candidate list, the party has already replaced over 20 of its sitting MLAs and is fielding new faces, including some turncoats. As of now, the party has announced 31 candidates, with the second list reflecting these significant changes.

Having swept the previous two assembly elections, including a historic 67 out of 70 seats in 2015, AAP is hoping to repeat its success in 2020 when it won 62 seats. Much of the party’s earlier victories were attributed to the "spotless" image of Arvind Kejriwal and the "honest" governance under his leadership. However, with corruption allegations against the party and discontent among voters towards some long-serving MLAs, AAP has revamped its approach this time.

A senior AAP functionary stated that Delhi residents remain generally satisfied with the government's performance, particularly due to the benefits of key schemes like zero electricity bills and free bus travel for women. The party believes that replacing local MLAs with fresh candidates will address any dissatisfaction.

Additionally, the "revdi pe charcha" campaign is designed to highlight the advantages of the government's six major initiatives—free water, free electricity, free and quality education, free healthcare, free travel for women on buses, and the free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens. Hundreds of micro teams have been created to engage with residents in small groups, discussing these schemes and urging them to contact relatives in other states, particularly BJP-run ones, to compare benefits.

Simultaneously, the party is running a campaign against the BJP-led central government, particularly criticizing its handling of law and order, aiming to shift the narrative in its favor as it prepares for the upcoming elections.