TIMELINE
The Aam Aadmi Party has clarified that there was no bids to get support from mafia-don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. AAP leaders denied any such bid in a press conference in Varanasi.“Our party will not take any support from Ansari’s Quami Ekta Dal... There has been no interaction or any meetings of AAP leaders and QED leaders yet.”
- Sanjay Singh, AAP Leader
The issue created controversy following a statement by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and subsequently supported by his colleague Kumar Vishwas, contesting from Amethi against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.
"Congress and BJP have to be removed from the country to corruption. And for this, all the forces must join hands."
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Convenor
"We welcome all support; what is important is that both Rahul and Modi should lose."The issue was highly discussed on social media. But now it seems over.
- Kumar Vishwas, AAP leader
Centre STAGE
The Aam Aadmi Party has started a new publicity style to get people’s support with its ‘Calling Campaign’. Two toll free numbers have been given on its site for the purpose.In an appeal to supporters on its facebook page , AAP says, “Come to Varanasi and Amethi to Volunteer for Aam Aadmi Party. If you cannot, then support us by asking the voters of Amethi and Varanasi to support us by calling them through our toll-free number.”
AAP team is already camping in Varanasi and Arvind Kejriwal is expected to join by Tuesday. The date of Kejriwal’s nomination is yet to be finalised. However, AAP leader, Sanjay Singh told reporters that Kejriwal can file his nomination on April 23 or 24.
The nomination in Varanasi will begin on April 17. April 24 is the last date for filing of nomination papers. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is April 28. The high profile seat of Varanasi is going to the polls in the last of the nine-phase Lok Sabha balloting on May 12.
BOTTOMLINE
And, now have a look on this report appeared in TOI:“Strange as it may seem, 30 per cent of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh are billionaires, while 40 per cent have criminal records against them.”