NEW DELHI: Former East Delhi mayor and the sitting BJP councillor from Sonia Vihar, Annapurna Mishra, seems to be having a tough time within the party. Her son, Kapil Mishra, has decided to contest the assembly elections on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, which could mar her chances of bagging a BJP ticket.

Kapil, who has been associated with activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal for over a decade, was declared AAP's candidate from Karawal Nagar a few weeks ago. Though his mother disapproved of his decision, she didn't stop him from striking out on a different path. "Though she didn't agree with my decision, she didn't stop me. It is high time we do something to change the system,'' says 32-year-old Kapil, who has been associated with several global civil society groups and was the co-founder of Youth for Justice.

While he is aggressively campaigning to dislodge sitting BJP MLA Mohan Singh Bisht, his mother is not likely to get a ticket this time despite being a strong contender, party sources said. Karawal Nagar is a BJP stronghold as it has a large population of Poorvanchalis. There are close to 80,000-90,000 Poorvanchalis in this constituency and Annapurna is one of the main Poorvanchali leaders in the BJP.

"She is an important Poorvanchali leader and was a strong candidate for the assembly elections. But now she may find it difficult to get a ticket,'' says a senior leader.

Kapil, who is all set to make a debut in politics, is aware of the complications arising out of his decision.

"I know I have put a lot at stake but I have to do my duty. We need to provide a good alternative to the people. The BJP and the Congress are the same. Both the parties lack the will to make a difference. If the BJP was really serious about the tariff issue, their MLAs should have resigned from the assembly and asked for fresh elections.,'' said Kapil. He is confident that people will vote for him as there has been no development in the area. "There are no footbridges, parks, community centres, etc in the area,'' adds Kapil.

While her son is attacking the BJP, Annapurna, sources say, has decided to distance herself from his campaign. People close to her say she will continue to campaign for the BJP as she has served the party for nearly 20 years. "Regardless of whether she gets a ticket or not, she will work for the party,'' said a councillor who has worked with her.

So, do they discuss politics at home? "These days we don't get to meet each other. We might have different ideologies, but we will always stay together. Though she will not campaign for me, her blessings will always be with me,'' said Kapil.