With eyes on Himachal panchayat polls before 2027 litmus test, AAP makes fresh start
After drawing a blank in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a campaign to rebuild its base in the state, setting its sights on the Gram Panchayat elections slated to be held in December before facing a litmus test in the 2027 Assembly polls.
AAP newly appointed Himachal Pradesh in charge Rituraj Gobind Jha addressed around 300 party workers gathered from across the state at the Community Centre in Summer Hill, Shimla, on Sunday, making it clear that 'the party is here for a long haul and Arvind Kejriwal will be the face of AAP in Himachal Pradesh'.
A two-time former MLA from the Kirari Assembly constituency in Delhi and the party's national spokesperson, Jha, outlined the party's immediate priorities: 'Our first task is to demand a party office from the Congress-led state government.
'It is our constitutional right as a national party.'
'The second is the formation of district and Assembly-level units across Himachal,' said Jha, who was appointed the state party in charge on May 22.
Acknowledging the previous efforts were 'inconsistent', he noted, 'I am the 18th in-charge of AAP in Himachal. No one before me lasted for more than six months, but I'm here to stay — at least until the 2027 Assembly elections.' Jha accused the state government of 'hesitating to allot a party office' to AAP.
'The Congress fears the AAP will cut its vote bank, but we will fight for our rights,' he said.
When a party worker asked whether the AAP would contest the upcoming Gram Panchayat polls, Jha said the decision would be taken after consulting local volunteers and leaders.
He, however, confirmed that the party would contest all upcoming polls including the 2027 Assembly elections and Municipal Council elections.
The AAP in charge also announced that district-level committees and public meetings would be held in each district and Assembly segment from July 1.
The six-hour-long Pradesh Karyakarta Sammelan (state workers' gathering) also saw party workers expressing their grievances, especially voicing concerns over 'neglecting dedicated workers, lack of women representation and dissatisfaction over the functioning of local leaderships'.
Concluding the session, Jha said, 'I was expecting more complaints. I will take up all these issues with the party leadership to resolve them.' AAP Himachal co-in-charge Vijay Phulara and other local leaders also attended the meeting.
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