AAP to contest All 36 Mumbai seats in Maharashtra assembly polls
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its intention to contest all 36 seats in Mumbai for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, as confirmed by party leader Preeti Sharma Menon on Monday.
During a press conference, Menon emphasized that AAP is gearing up for a robust campaign across Maharashtra, with volunteers and colleagues actively preparing.
Menon clarified that while AAP is part of the opposition INDIA alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, the party will independently contest the state assembly elections. She highlighted AAP's transformation from a people's movement to a national party under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, with successful governance models in Delhi and Punjab, and representation in Goa, Gujarat, and the Parliament.
In just a decade, AAP has showcased the "Delhi model" of development, which provides free quality education, healthcare, water, and electricity, all achieved without corruption or accruing debt, according to Menon.
Menon criticized the current BJP-Shinde Sena-led Maharashtra government, accusing it of corruption and a lack of political will for public welfare. She described the BJP as an anti-Maharashtra and anti-Mumbai party, alleging that the Shinde government prioritizes looting the exchequer over public service.
She claimed that the government has failed on multiple fronts, including managing unemployment, inflation, agrarian distress, and farmer suicides. Menon also accused the government of failing to address issues related to Maratha reservation and the overall deterioration of Mumbai’s infrastructure.
Menon further alleged that the BJP is deliberately undermining Mumbai's status as India's financial capital by redirecting projects to Gujarat. She accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis of placing Gujarat's interests above Maharashtra's.
Ruben Mascarenhas, AAP's working president, stated that Maharashtra deserves better governance and that AAP is not just an alternative but a solution for the state’s challenges.