Ritika
Ahmedabad. Will the aggressive entry of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat change the equation for the assembly elections in the state? The question has been engulfed in political discourse in recent weeks in the wake of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party going to the polls in a hustle and bustle. The AAP’s presence has made next month’s elections a triangular contest in a state where politics remains predominantly bipolar. AAP is in power in Delhi and Punjab, contesting all the 182 seats in Gujarat. Here, is an analysis of Aam Aadmi Party’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Strength :- Its appeal to the lower middle class voters whom the party woos is that it is a separate party. The party reaches out to voters through several “welfare guarantees”, including free electricity up to 300 units per month, Rs 3,000 per month for the unemployed, and Rs 1,000 per month for women above 18 years. Promises to raise issues affecting voters can make you an attractive option.
Weaknesses:- The AAP lacks local leaders with broad appeal, and its grassroots organization stands nowhere in comparison to rival parties. The party does not have enough experience in Gujarat politics. AAP has no vote bank and the local body seats won in 2021 cannot be an indicator of its performance in the assembly elections.
opportunity: – AAP has a chance to speak and create a new political discourse in Gujarat. Winning a few seats in a state dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress will also help the AAP gain a foothold and boost the party’s stature ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Danger :- ‘Modi factor’ can give BJP an edge again. Strong penetration of BJP in Hindutva politics.
