Patna: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, has announced its intentions to participate in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a move that could potentially impact Opposition unity in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. AAP's General Secretary, Sandeep Pathak, conducted a meeting with leaders and members of AAP's Bihar Unit in the national capital to discuss the strategy.

The Assembly elections in Bihar are scheduled for 2025. During the meeting, Sandeep Pathak underscored the need to bolster the party's presence in Bihar. Ajesh Yadav, AAP's MLA from Delhi and the in-charge of Bihar, was also present at the gathering. Pathak lamented the current state of Bihar, attributing its stagnation to divisive politics. He affirmed AAP's intention to contest elections in the state but emphasized the importance of first establishing a robust organization. Pathak urged AAP's Bihar leaders to initiate the formation of committees in each village as part of their organizational expansion efforts. He clarified that while AAP plans to contest Bihar elections, the timing will be determined by the party leadership, and a solid groundwork needs to be laid before direct electoral participation.

Drawing a parallel with AAP's strategy in Gujarat, Pathak stressed the necessity of a strong organizational structure before contesting elections. He outlined that AAP intends to enter Bihar's political landscape through local body polls initially. Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP, Pathak criticized the government's handling of the nation's challenges, asserting that speeches alone cannot suffice as answers. In response to the recently formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) that includes AAP, Pathak emphasized the paramount importance of national interests while acknowledging differing opinions within the alliance. He confirmed that AAP is a national party and will contest Lok Sabha elections, but decisions regarding alliances will be made in due course.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded to AAP's announcement, with leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain suggesting that the move could pose difficulties for those who invited AAP to Bihar. The Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and the Janata Dal United (JDU) also reacted to AAP's decision. RJD's Manoj Jha expressed hope that AAP would adhere to the principles established by the INDIA alliance, while JDU's Neeraj Kumar acknowledged the right of every party to expand but highlighted the importance of unity within the alliance. Notably, AAP is one of 26 opposition parties forming the INDIA alliance, a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The alliance seeks to prevent the NDA from securing a third consecutive term in power. AAP's move to participate in Bihar's Assembly elections adds a new dimension to the evolving political landscape, potentially influencing the dynamics of both state and national elections.

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