Chief ministerial candidate for Punjab elections not decided yet, says AAP leader

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday scotched speculation that its national convener Arvind Kejriwal could be projected as the chief ministerial candidate in the Punjab Assembly elections due next year.

“It is baseless. It’s all rumours. There is no substance in it. Kejriwal will not leave Delhi government,” AAP national spokesman Ashutosh told PTI.

He said the party had not yet decided its chief ministerial face in Punjab or Goa. We believe that the democratic process will throw up a leader. We have many competent leaders and any one of them can take up the responsibility,” Mr. Ashutosh said.

“Whether to project a face or not is the call the party will have to take,” the AAP leader said.

Mr. Ashutosh said Mr. Kejriwal’s major focus now would be on Punjab and Goa. “The party is also trying to expand its organisational base in every State. Major work is happening in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra and all the southern States,” he said.

“The party knows that it has national appeal, but before deciding to jump in the electoral fray, it would like to strengthen its organisation.”

Responding to a question, Mr. Ashutosh ruled out that Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal’s absence from the national capital during campaigning for Goa and Punjab would affect the functioning of his government.

“Everybody says AAP is a one-man party and without Arvind the party has no existence. This belies logic. There is enough talent in Delhi. Our Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is a very competent Cabinet Minister,” he said.

“The systems are already in place. [Delhi] Government is very well settled I don’t see that his coming here will have any kind of effect on the Delhi government functioning. If any consultation is needed then in today’s age of technological revolution, he is available on phone and Skype,” Mr. Ashutosh added. — PTI