AAP unsure whether to enter LS poll fray in Kerala

KOCHI: The Kerala unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in a dilemma whether to contest the Lok Sabha elections or not. The leaders are of the position that the decision can be left to the national leadership. The uncertainty in Kerala is at a time when the party announced candidates in the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa and Gujarat.

It has only been a few months since the new leadership took charge in the state. Vinod Mathew Wilson was named the President and Arun AR as Secretary replacing the leadership of the previous President PC Cyriac. The leaders said that there was no decision has been taken on the competition and the stand to be taken in Kerala. "Talks have not started. The party will stick to anti-BJP stance," party sources said.

It is also unclear who the party should support if not contesting. National alliance is with Congress but one section wants the party to back LDF.

Showed strength in 2014

The party did not contest the last election and supported the LDF. In 2014, the Aam Aadmi Party contested in 11 seats. Journalist Anitha Prathap, who contested from Ernakulam, got the highest number of votes - 51,517. Writer Sara Joseph secured 44,638 votes in Thrissur and KM Nooruddin garnered 35,189 votes in Chalakudy.

Twenty20 relationship

The People's Welfare Alliance, an alliance between AAP and Twenty 20, was dissolved on December 7, 2023. The alliance was announced on May 15, 2022 in a conference attended by Arvind Kejriwal.