AAP to contest over 400 Lok Sabha seats

The party, which had set its sights on around 200 seats, has ramped up its plans following what it called an "unprecedented response" from across the country.
NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has drastically scaled up its ambition for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and now plans to contest over 400 seats across the country.

The party, which had set its sights on around 200 seats, has ramped up its plans following what it called an "unprecedented response" from across the country.

"We are looking at contesting over 400 seats in the coming general elections,'' AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said on Tuesday when asked how many seats the party would consider contesting.

He was speaking after discussions in AAP's political affairs committee, its top decision-making body, on the broad strategy for the Lok Sabha elections.

Although it may be difficult to replicate its Delhi feat on the national stage, AAP strategists, on the basis of the response to the membership drive, may like to aim for "national party" tag after their maiden outing in the Lok Sabha arena. A party needs to be recognized as a state party in at least four states or mop up at least 6% of the vote to be declared a national party by the Election Commission.

Over 12 lakh people have joined the party in the last four days, according to last count of online membership forms and text messages. This, coupled with the growing number of people who have expressed support for the party by either seeking a nomination or working in policy or fund-raising, has encouraged the party to aim higher.

However, another AAP leader and PAC member Gopal Rai struck a cautious note saying the party had not fixed any cap on the number of seats and was still exploring all options.

Speaking on the overwhelming response, Bhushan said, "This is a political revolution that we are witnessing. We have received support from every part of the country, urban and rural. There is hope and expectation from people who see the emergence of an alternative politics in the country.''

Bhushan said the nine-member PAC had extensive discussions on the political scenario in the country. "On one hand, Congress and UPA stand discredited while on the other is BJP that represents a change of face without a change in system. People are yearning for a change and AAP represents a very radical change in the nature of government in the country,'' he said.

The meeting also discussed individual candidates who are likely to be finalized in the next few days. The party plans to announce its first list of 15-20 candidates on January 20.

AAP members had earlier admitted that they faced a constraint in creating a strong party structure in a short span of time. The party's initiative to start a membership drive is expected to create an army of volunteers that is the party's core strength. Volunteers played a significant role in amplifying the party's message.