AAP Enters Bihar Battle, Vows to Contest All 243 Seats with ‘Delhi Model’ Promise
AAP announces full-scale Bihar election debut with 243-seat plan.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), known for its transformative governance in Delhi and Punjab, announced its ambitious foray into Bihar politics, declaring it will contest all 243 seats in the upcoming state assembly elections. On Monday, the party released its first list of 11 candidates, signaling a bold challenge to established political heavyweights in a state long dominated by regional giants like the RJD, JD(U), and BJP. AAP’s state in-charge, Ajesh Yadav, exuded confidence at a press conference, touting the party’s proven model of education, healthcare, and public welfare as a blueprint to uplift Bihar, a state grappling with systemic challenges like unemployment and infrastructure deficits.
Yadav highlighted AAP’s track record, citing free electricity, revamped government schools, and Mohalla Clinics in Delhi and Punjab as evidence of its governance prowess. “The work done by the Aam Aadmi Party is being discussed across the country,” he said, noting the significant role of Bihar’s Purvanchal diaspora in AAP’s Delhi victories. “Our national convener Arvind Kejriwal asked if they can help us form a government in Delhi, then why not in Bihar?”
The candidate list includes Meera Singh (Begusarai), Bhanu Bhartiya (Kasba, Purnia), Arun Kumar Rajak (Phulwari, Patna), Pankaj Kumar (Bankipur, Patna), Ashok Kumar Singh (Govindganj, Motihari), and Retd Capt Dharmraj Singh (Buxar), among others, reflecting a mix of local leaders and professionals aimed at resonating with Bihar’s diverse electorate.
State co-incharge Abhinav Rai firmly ruled out alliances with existing political blocs, including the Mahagathbandhan or NDA, stating, “Our alliance is with the people of Bihar.” This independent stance underscores AAP’s strategy to position itself as a fresh alternative, distancing itself from Bihar’s entrenched caste-based politics. Yadav took a swipe at political strategist Prashant Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj party is also vying for reformist space, saying, “Prashant Kishor has just begun talking about reforms, but we have already implemented those on the ground.”
With star campaigners like Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann set to rally voters—building on their prior Bihar visits—AAP aims to disrupt the state’s political landscape with its anti-corruption, pro-welfare narrative.
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The announcement comes as Bihar’s 2025 elections, expected by November, shape up as a fierce battleground, with over 7.3 crore voters and a history of coalition-driven outcomes. AAP’s decision to go solo, banking on its governance credentials rather than caste arithmetic, is a high-risk gamble in a state where loyalty to regional satraps runs deep.
Social media reactions on X reflect cautious optimism, with some users praising AAP’s “people-first” approach, while others question its organizational depth in Bihar’s complex terrain. As the party prepares to unveil its star campaigners and full candidate list, its promise of “Delhi-style change” sets the stage for a transformative, if uphill, electoral debut.
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