After turning the traditional Congress versus BJP battle in Delhi into a clear BJP versus AAP contest, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is looking at establishing itself as a national party to occupy what it sees as the "political vacuum".
Although short of funds and other resources, including manpower, AAP has fielded more than 400 candidates across India, but is concentrating its energies on winning a few seats.
"We are not merely looking at winning a large number of seats. Rather, we are coalescing people who had been looking for an alternative. Unlike other parties, our volunteers are not paid. Moreover, we are looking at bringing together the transformational forces, strong people who will now form the DNA of the party," said AAP spokesperson Atishi Marlena.
Party sources said AAP expects to win 20-30 seats across India but its focus is on the vote share, expected mainly from states such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa, Uttarakhand and Puducherry. A party needs a 6% vote share nationally from at least four states to be recognised by the Election Commission as a national party.
"We are confident of garnering the 6% vote share nationally," Marlena said.
{{/usCountry}}"We are confident of garnering the 6% vote share nationally," Marlena said.
{{/usCountry}}"It was in mid-January that we thought there is a political vacuum waiting to be filled," a party leader said. "None of the established parties was raising issues that were of direct concern to the common man. We are doing that."