AAP’s clean sweep in Punjab a boost for national ambitions

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s thumping victory in Punjab assembly elections on Thursday improved its chances of attaining the status of a national party, a stature accorded by the Election Commission of India

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s thumping victory in Punjab assembly elections on Thursday improved its chances of attaining the status of a national party, a stature accorded by the Election Commission of India.

Mohali, India - March 10, 2022: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters celebrate AAP Candidate Kulwant Singh’s victory after Punjab Assembly election results at AAP office in Sector 78 in Mohali, Punjab, India on Thursday, March 10, 2022. (Photo by Ravi Kumar/Hindustan Times)

At present, the poll body recognises Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party as national parties.

A political party is accorded a national status when it secures at least 6% of the total vote share in four or more states during a Lok Sabha or state election. Kejriwal’s party had secured 54% of vote share in the 2020 Delhi assembly elections.

In the 2022 assembly polls, the AAP registered a vote share of 42% in Punjab, 6.77% in Goa, 3.4% in Uttarakhand and 0.3% in Uttar Pradesh.

In addition to the 6% vote share, a party also needs to win at least four seats in Parliament from any state or states. Currently, AAP has just one MP – Bhagwant Mann, its chief ministerial candidate in Punjab – in the Lok Sabha.

A party can also be recognised as a national party if it wins at least 2% seats in Lok Sabha, with its members elected from at least three different states.

By attaining national status, a political party can use its unique symbol to fight elections, is eligible for a party office in Delhi and is also entitled to two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls. The concerned party’s candidates also get one copy of the electoral roll free of cost during the general elections.

Besides, the party is provided with broadcast/telecast facilities from Akashvani/Doordarshan during the Parliamentary polls. A recognised national party can also nominate up to 40 “star campaigners” during these elections.

It is only in December, when the states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh go to elections, that the AAP may get another chance to win the status of a national party.

Some quotes from AAP would be great.