Despite issues, AAP seems to be in full control

The AAP in Punjab has something to cheer about after weeks of controversies surrounding allegations of corruption, sex scandals and promotion of non-Punjabi leaders. The AAP managed to arrest the decline in momentum with party chief Arvind Kejri-wal’s rally in Baghapurana which was seen as a success.

Mr Kejriwal’s rally at Baghapurana, where he released the party’s farmer manifesto, came as a blessing for the AAP which was surrounded in controversies, especially after the removal of AAPs Punjab’s convenor Sucha Singh Chottepur on the charges of corruption.

Additionally, Navjot Singh Sidhu’s announcement of not floating a political party but to keep his recently launched Awaaz-e-Punjab as only a forum, is seen to be politically beneficial for the AAP.

Mr Sidhu’s statement that “they would not divide the anti-incumbency vote, which could benefit the ‘Badal-Amari-nder nexus’ has also been a booster for the AAP. Ever since they announ-ced the Awaaz-e-Hind, Sidhu, Par-gat and Bains bro-thers were being seen as formidable, albeit a small, force.

Political observers say that all of them have the capacity to win polls as independents and also as candidates of any political party given their individual clouts. They were seen as mainly affecting AAP’s chances during the elections in the state.

However, with Sidhu remaining silent on the AAP, while hitting out at both the Congress and SAD in his statement regarding not converting Awaaz-e-Punjab into a political party has triggered a fresh round of speculation on his keeping the option open for joining the AAP. The SAD has reacted sharply to Sidhu’s decision saying that this is his admission of defeat before the polls.