AAP releases 2nd list, switches Sisodia's seat

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday released its second list of candidates for the Delhi assembly elections that are scheduled next year, announcing 20 names, dropping 15 MLAs and switching the seats of two sitting legislators, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

- Alok KN Mishra

The list was released after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal chaired a meeting of the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC). The AAP has so far fielded 31 candidates for polls to the Capital's 70 seats, which are likely to be held early next year. The BJP and the Congress are yet to announce any names.

"AAP has intensified preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. Today [Monday], names of 20 more candidates were finalised. Seats of two legislators have been changed. We have fielded our candidates on the basis of people's feedback and their performance. The second list will further strengthen AAP's ongoing preparations," senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Gopal Rai said.

Sisodia, who was an MLA from the Patparganj seat in East Delhi since 2013, will contest the upcoming polls from the Jangpura constituency in South Delhi. "From Patparganj to Jangpura, my resolve is firm: to make Delhi even better. Your trust is my strength," he posted on X.

Popular civil services exam coach Avadh Ojha, who joined the AAP earlier this month, will contest from Patparganj. "I express my gratitude to the National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal ji, who trusted a common teacher like me and gave me an opportunity. Sisodia ji's education resolution will continue from Patparganj," Ojha said in a post on X.

Sisodia won Patparganj by 3,207 votes in 2020 and 28,761 in 2015. The AAP won a landslide majority on both occasions.