Why is AAP so baffled with Surat (East) candidate's withdrawal of nomination?

In a big blow to Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) ambitions to perform better in the region, AAP candidate from Surat (East) constituency Kanchan Jariwala on Wednesday withdrew his nomination from the Gujarat assembly polls. AAP had claimed that the candidate was kidnapped by the ruling BJP and was forced to withdraw his nomination.

AAP leaders had also staged demonstration in front of Election Commission's headquarter in Delhi demanding action in this regard. AAP leaders had alleged that 'local BJP goons' and police forced the AAP candidate to withdraw his nomination.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia alleged that Jariwala was kidnapped and his nomination was withdrawn at gunpoint. “What can be a bigger emergency than this for the Election Commission? That is why we have come to the door of the Central Election Commission with a request for immediate action,” he said while protesting at the Election Commission's office.


Why AAP is baffled with the the withdrawal
Jariwala’s withdrawal of nomination from Surat (East) has dealt a blow to the Kejriwal-led party's ambition of doing well in Surat, where it has its brightest chances. AAP has been campaigning aggressively to try and make inroads in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state which over the years has seen a two-way contest between the Congress and BJP.

Last year, Surat was one of the corporation where AAP performed well in the local bodies election. Contesting for the first time in eight municipal polls held last year, AAP won 27 seats in the municipal corporation in the diamond city. AAP secured 28.58 percent votes. Main opposition Congress couldn't score a single win across 120 seats in Surat, while the AAP emerged as the main opposition in the corporation. In the 2016 municipal elections, BJP had won 80 out of 116 seats while the Congress got 36 seats.

The party also performed well in Surat and registered its presence in Gandhinagar and Rajkot. In Gandhinagar, BJP won 41, Congress two and AAP won one seat with 21.7 percent vote share. While in Rajkot, AAP received 17 per cent vote share.

AAP is targeting urban vote bank with its promises of free electricity and water and good healthcare and education facilities like in Delhi.