Kejriwal to campaign for INDIA Bloc candidates in Maharashtra and Jharkhand ahead of Nov elections

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convenor Arvind Kejriwal is gearing up to campaign for candidates from the INDIA bloc in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Sources indicate that Kejriwal's campaign will primarily target assembly seats where AAP has established a strong volunteer base and where the candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance maintain a non-controversial profile.

The request for Kejriwal’s support in Maharashtra comes from two significant parties in the MVA: Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). AAP leaders believe that Kejriwal's appeal can resonate with voters, particularly in urban areas, where his track record of governance in Delhi might influence voter sentiments positively. Along with Kejriwal, other senior AAP leaders are also expected to participate in the campaign to reinforce the party’s collective strength.

In Jharkhand, Kejriwal is likely to extend his campaign efforts to support the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidates. The JMM, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is a key player in the state’s political landscape. Sources suggest that the campaign will concentrate on urban constituencies, similar to the strategy in Maharashtra, where the goal is to appeal to voters in rapidly growing urban centers.

Kejriwal's active participation in these campaigns comes shortly after his release from Tihar Jail, where he was held in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Following his release, he announced his intention to resign from the Chief Minister position, stating he would not resume until AAP secures a mandate in the next assembly elections. This declaration reflects his commitment to transparency and accountability to the electorate.

The assembly elections in Maharashtra are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for November 23. This election cycle is significant, as it will see intense competition between two primary alliances: the ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP and splinter groups of Shiv Sena and NCP, and the opposition MVA, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar).

In Jharkhand, the elections will be conducted in two phases on November 13 and November 20, with results announced on November 23. The political landscape in Jharkhand is characterized by alliances such as the BJP, which is contesting in collaboration with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United), while the JMM is teaming up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress.