New Delhi: The last word may not have been said on Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal contesting the Lok Sabha election, a move that would spice up the leadership stakes so far dominated by Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Though Kejriwal on Saturday did not seem keen to contest — and fuel speculation of being the “third” PM
hopeful — several AAP leaders expressed the view that a bold projection of the Delhi chief minister could prove to be inspirational for the AAP Lok Sabha campaign.
During discussions of the AAP national executive on Sunday, a section of leaders felt Kejriwal had been hasty in ruling out standing for Lok Sabha as he is the party’s nationally recognized face and his projection, even implicit, as a prime ministerial choice could turn out to be a game changer.
The view that the decision not to contest should be revisited surfaced strongly in the deliberations being held in the wake of AAP's highly successful debut in the Delhi election where it ensured Congress's rout and prevented BJP from getting a majority.
Party sources confirmed that the debate on Kejriwal contesting the Lok Sabha election is open, though some AAP leaders feel that he would be more effective in managing the party's ambitious poll effort and overseeing its strategy for the 2014 election. Yet, there are indications that the argument that Kejriwal's candidature would give AAP added momentum and sharply define the alternative it presents could prevail.
At the national executive meeting on Sunday, several leaders expressed surprise over Kejriwal’s statement on Saturday night that he would not contest in the 2014 general election.
Cops probe damage to Rakhi Birla’s car
Delhi minister Rakhi Birla’s personal car was damaged in Mangolpuri on Sunday evening. Police said they were trying to ascertain what happened. The minister’s supporters filed a complaint about a heavy object breaking the car’s windscreen. They said Birla was on her way to attend a function and people gathered around her vehicle near a temple at R-block in Mangolpuri when the windscreen cracked. No one was injured. ‘Ask Kashmiris if they want Army’
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan on Sunday called for a referendum in Kashmir to decide whether or not the Army should be deployed to deal with internal threats in the Valley. “People should be asked whether they want the Army to handle the internal security of Kashmir... If people don’t want the Army to be deployed, it should be withdrawn from the hinterland,” he said in an interview to TV channel Aaj Tak. AAP divided on promoting Kejriwal as PM candidate
NewDelhi:There are several calculations at work within AAP on whether to project Arvind Kejriwal as a PM candidate. Though AAP leaders have spoken of putting up 300 candidates, the party will hope to emerge with a sufficient number of seats that makes it a relevant force in the next Lok Sabha. It’s appeal, some feel, will be enhanced by Kejirwal contesting by attracting voters disillusioned with mainstream choices.
According to sources, Kejriwal was questioned on why he had made the statement on his prime ministerial candidature without prior discussion in the party. “Several party leaders raised the matter and were quite firm on what they felt was a hasty response to media queries,” an AAP leader said.
One group remains of the view that Kejriwal’s role and leadership in Delhi were of strategic importance since the state government’s policy and actions would prove to be the launching pad for the party nationally. Others feel Kejriwal is widely recognized and respected and his leadership would be a game changer. A final decision can only be taken at a later stage, sources said. On Saturday morning, AAP leader Yogendra Yadav had pitched for Kejriwal as PM candidate saying the party needs to present a clear alternative to the Congress and BJP leaders.
