The states AAP is eyeing

New Delhi: You may not share AAP’s optimistic forecast. Take it with a pinch of salt. But you can’t ask, ‘‘Who is Kejriwal?’’ any more. Here is a reality-check of AAP’s projection.   

Delhi:

Both AAP and BJP hopes to win all the seven Lok Sabha seats, which Congress won in 2009. Three for AAP and two each for BJP and Congress may not be wide of the mark. Delhi will witness a triangular contest.  

Haryana:

Out of the 11 Lok Sabha seats, AAP could realistically expect 3-4 seats since both Kejriwal and Yadav are from Haryana. It’s proximity to Delhi also makes it strategically important for the party. Both Congress and Om Prakash Chautala’s INLD are facing serious corruption charges. Kuldeep Bishnoi’s party is confined only to Hisar.

Punjab:

Punjab has 13 seats, and probably, AAP might bag 2-3 seats. But AAP’s projections are high since a lot of people from the state has joined the party. If AAP’s hopes are to be believed, it is all set to vanquish SAD and Congress.

Karnataka:

AAP is hoping to win at least one out of the 28 seats. The state contributed nearly Rs.2 crore for Delhi elections and thousands of educated volunteers worked for the polls. It is focusing on all three Lok Sabha seats in Bangalore city.

Tamil Nadu:

AAP may not be able to take on AIADMK and DMK. But AAP is hoping against hope that the people of Tamil Nadu want a change and will rally behind a new party like AAP. Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats plus Pondicherry which is a Union territory.

Goa:

The state has two seats, and AAP hopes to make a difference in this tiny state. A renowned Goan singer like Remo Fernandes has joined the AAP raising hopes.

Maharashtra:

The state has 48 seats, and AAP wants to make a mark in India’s financial capital Mumbai. It is focusing on the metropolis. AAP plans to expose Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena and MNS. But the question is will the voters of Anna Hazare’s home state vote for his one-time disciple?

Gujarat:

The state has 26 seats and AAP wants to take the battle to Narendra Modi’s doorstep. AAP believes – or imagines – that the voters of Gujarat are disillusioned with Modi. AAP strategists believe that the Gujaratis will back AAP.

Uttar Pradesh:

UP has 80 seats, and since a large number of UP natives have voted for AAP, it hopes to replicate the same in some parts of the state. AAP is focusing on satellites towns of national capital, Noida and Ghaziabad. It has also decided to take on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareily and Amethi. AAP wants to take on SP, BSP, Congress and BJP in the state.

Bihar:

The state has 40 seats, and AAP’s hopes are high because a large number of natives of Bihar have voted for the AAP in Delhi assembly polls. AAP feels that it can certainly make a mark in Bihar by defeating major parties. 

Besides these states, AAP is focusing on Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.