AAP ready for another poll battle, says Pathak

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 22

After giving a tough fight to the political parties of Punjab in the Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now gearing up to contest the municipal elections to be held in the state in September.

The party has already got many prominent councillors, including Senior Deputy Mayor of Jalandhar Arvinder Kaur Oberoi, into its fold.

Also, many Independent candidates from major Municipal Corporations, including Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda, too have approached the party to contest under its banner.

When contacted, Durgesh Pathak, head of the Aam Aadmi Party’s national organisation building team, said that the party is yet to take a call in this matter but sources said the party has already begun to identify potential candidates in various districts.

“We will soon take a decision in this matter,” said Pathak. However, hinting towards a strong possibility of contesting the MC polls, Pathak said the party cadre is extremely excited about getting a wonderful response in the recently held Assembly elections in the state and the party may go for another poll battle at the ground level as well.

Senior leader HS Phoolka, too, said looking at the feedback, the party is getting from various sources, the party should field its candidates from all wards of Punjab.

“It is high time that the party should take the fight to corruption at the ground level and should contest the MC polls. I will personally appeal to the party high command to contest from each and every single ward of Punjab,” said Phoolka. Sources have also informed that senior party members and experienced volunteers have already assessed the ground-level situation and have begun to mobilise local support.