‘Kejriwal has set eye on expanding footprint on the national stage’

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal expands beyond Delhi, gearing up for national stage with campaigns in multiple states.

After putting in his papers as the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal is looking to thrust himself onto the national stage, beginning with a “fiery” election campaign in Haryana and Delhi, a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said on Tuesday.

He said the AAP national convener will go beyond the Capital, spurring into action the party cadre in other States like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jharkhand to ensure that the party emerges as a credible alternative on the national stage.

While AAP is ruling Punjab and had a good show in Gujarat in the 2022 State Assembly poll, the elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand are likely to be held in November this year.

Known for his knack of connecting with people, the party is expecting to register gains with his canvassing in the October 5 Assembly poll in Haryana, where AAP has fielded candidates in all 90 constituencies after its talks for a tie-up with its INDIA bloc partner Congress collapsed.

The leader said Mr. Kejriwal will also hold massive door-to-door campaigns similar to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s padayatra to win people’s trust in the Capital ahead of the Delhi Assembly poll scheduled for February next year.

“In a week’s time, you will see a rally in Delhi and this will be just a start. Arvindji is very clear in his approach and determined to prove his honesty in the people’s court,” the leader said, terming allegations of corruption against the AAP chief “baseless”.

“You will see the old Kejriwal who in the initial days of his political journey went street to street and talked to people, propagating AAP’s message,” the leader added.