like any other party, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too has a standoffish attitude when it comes to the usual gripe about the selection of “outsider” candidates. Discord and uproar over ticket distribution for the forthcoming lok Sabha polls have disquieted AAP leaders.
Opposing the candidature of Mangolpuri MlA and former Minister Rakhi Birla from North-West Delhi Parliamentary constituency, AAP workers started an indefinite protest at the party headquarters in Delhi on Saturday. The agitated workers also threatened to hit the brakes on the election campaign if Birla was finalised as a candidate from the seat. Alleging hegemony of Kejriwal, the agitating workers rued their leader has taken a about-turn on the policy of ticket disbursal. They said Kejriwal had promised no sitting MlA would be given a ticket for the lok Sabha polls. It only explains why Birla’s name is creating rumblings within the party.
local leaders allege Birla has not even applied for a lok Sabha ticket; consideration of her name hence contravenes party’s norms. The protesters, from all the 10 Assembly constituencies of North West district, who assembled at AAP’s Hanuman Road office, demanded tickets be allotted to only the applicants who had adhered to the protocol. The angered supporters said there are media reports that the central leadership has decided to field Birla as the lok Sabha candidate. Earlier the party had sought applications across the constituency assuring candidates would be selected only after deliberation with party workers. Instead candidates were culled arbitrarily.
“The local leaders and grass-roots workers have not been briefed while deciding on the candidature. We have decided to oppose any such move by the party leadership. The name of Rakhi Birla is not acceptable as she is a sitting MlA and had not even applied for a party ticket.
If National Executive and Political Affairs Committee have to take decisions on impulse, they should halt the ongoing procedure of application and interviews. A total of 162 persons have applied for the lok Sabha ticket from North-West Delhi seat. We want a candidate who has applied, not an outsider,” said said Dr Gulab, a party worker who has been associated with AAP.
However, reacting to protests, senior party leader Sanjay Singh said the party has not declared any MlA as a candidate. “I accept people have been protesting but we cannot entertain them since lists have not been announced as yet. It augurs well for the party that there is a contest for a party ticket,” said Singh. In a related development, expelled BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh Rajan Sushant and Bhojpuri actress Reena Rani joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion Sushant said he was impelled him to join the party since only the AAP is fighting graft.