AAP fears 'extinction' in poll-bound Jharkhand

With the assembly polls approaching in Jharkhand, fear of extinction looms large in the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). One section of the party is particularly disappointed as AAP is not likely to contest the polls.

With the assembly polls approaching in Jharkhand, fear of extinction looms large in the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). One section of the party is particularly disappointed as AAP is not likely to contest the polls.

They have requested the national executive to allow at least three-four seats to protect the party's existence in the state.

AAP had contested in 10 seats out of the 14 parliamentary seats in Jharkhand. However, none of the candidates had much impact. The party could earn only 0.7% vote share.

"The party's decision to strengthen its base without contesting the polls may put it in trouble," said Dayamani Barla, who had contested the Khunti LS seat on an AAP ticket.

However, the AAP national executive is in no mood change the decision. "We have decided not to contest assembly polls," Gopal Rai, a member of political affairs committee (PAC) of AAP, told HT.