Lok Sabha Elections 2019: AAP pins hope on Arvind Kejriwal’s back-to-back road shows in Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, which is in total disarray following frequent squabbles and splits, is pinning hope on back-to-back road shows by party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal to lift the spirits of its cadre.

With just less than a week left for the polls in the state, the AAP is making a last-ditch effort to make up lost ground.

Kejriwal will hold road shows in Sangrur on May 13 and 14, Bathinda on May 15, Faridkot on May 16 and Patiala on May 17. Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi leadership would accompany AAP convener in the state.

The AAP is struggling to repeat 2014 — when it won four seats —with several of its leaders either quitting or being suspended in the past five years. The party has also failed to put up a show of strength in the state since elections were announced. But the state leadership believes Kejriwal’s presence would boost the morale of volunteers.

AAP’s state campaign committee chief and Sunam MLA Aman Arora said: “Party’s national leadership was busy in Delhi polls. As the voting is over in the national capital, Kejriwal and other leaders will start campaigning for the party candidates in Punjab. Kejriwal is the face of AAP and his campaigning will surely up the tempo.”

Claiming that Kejriwal’s presence in the state would help the party and have an impact on voters, Faridkot MP Sadhu Singh said the Delhi chief minister is people’s leader and his roadshows will help in creating a wave in favour of AAP candidates.

“The party is already facing a tough time in Punjab due to squabbles and split. The absence of our national leaders has only weakened its position as there is distrust among people. Had Kejriwal visited earlier, it would have provided much-needed boost to the campaign. We hope his roadshows will impact the political narrative,” said a party leader. 

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