AAP’s Durgesh Pathak camps in Amritsar to ensure mega rally for ‘big announcement’ in Majitha

As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is all set to announce its candidate against revenue minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) firebrand Bikram Singh Majithia at its rally in Majitha on December 14, its organisation-building head, Durgesh Pathak, is camping in Amritsar to make the rally a success. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is to make the announcement at the rally.

Saying that he will now be spending most of his time in Majha and Doaba regions — which have 25 and 23 assembly seats, respectively, out of the state’s 117 — Pathak is looking for residential accommodation in Amritsar, 20km from Majitha. 

“As we have already announced (Sangrur MP) Bhagwant Mann as candidate against deputy chief minister (and SAD president) Sukhbir Singh Badal from Jalalabad, we will announce big leaders of the party to contest from Majitha and Lambi assembly segment.” Lambi is represented by CM Parkash Singh Badal.  

Pathak, seen as Kejriwal’s right hand, is holding meetings with party leaders and workers. “I will be spending most of my time in Amritsar and also work in Doaba till the elections. I am looking to rent a house here.” 

The party plans rallies in villages too “where common people will be given the opportunity to speak rather than leaders delivering speeches”. Kejriwal may also be part of smaller rallies in villages and direct campaign.

Sources said the AAP was at one time hopeful of a deal with former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu as he could have handled Majha region for the party; but Sidhu’s inclination towards the Congress has made AAP change strategy.