235. AAP to contest Lok Sabha polls in 20 states, may field Kumar Vishwas against Rahul Gandhi

Election News | Press Trust of India | Updated: January 06, 2014 19:13 IST

 AAP leader Kumar Vishwas (right)

LUCKNOW:  Aam Aadmi Party today announced that it would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in 20 states and is likely to put up its leader Kumar Vishwas against Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

AAP candidates against prominent leaders like Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav would be decided soon, party National Spokesman Sanjay Singh told reporters.

"The national executive of AAP has decided to contest Lok Sabha polls in 20 states including UP where we would contest on all 80 Lok Sabha seats," Mr Singh said.

"We will try to finalise names of candidates by February 15 and all those desiring to contest Lok Sabha polls can apply by January 15. However, those applying would have to be recommended by at least 100 persons each from all the assembly constituencies in his or her area," he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Singh alleged that leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan, Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and others called themselves secular despite the fact that they were with the BJP in the past.

"Now, they are with Congress and labelling themselves as secular," he said.

He said AAP was in favour of diverting development funds of MPs and legislators tomohalla and gram sabhas so that people could decide where public money was to be spent.

Story First Published: January 06, 2014 19:13 IST