Delhi Polls: JD(U) backs AAP to avoid split in votes

NEW DELHI: In a new twist in Delhi's fast-changing political drama, Janata Dal (United) has announced its support for Aam Aadmi Party. JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav has even written to the Election Commission defending AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for his remark, "Take money from other parties but vote for AAP".

This time JD(U) is contesting only from six seats in Delhi and senior party members say that they want people from Bihar to vote for AAP.

"We want poorvanchali voters to vote for Aam Aadmi Party. If we contest on all seats, then the poorvanchali vote will get divided and BJP will benefit from it," said K C Tyagi of JD (U). He added that even former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is likely to campaign in Delhi to ensure that the vote doesn't get split.

The poorvanchali unit of BJP is already upset with the top brass for not giving an adequate number of tickets to community representatives. Its members protested outside the BJP headquarters when candidates were declared.

"The BJP government at the Centre has cleared regularization of unauthorized colonies and made Chhath Puja a gazetted holiday. Yet, there are only two poorvanchali faces contesting this poll season. During the previous elections, there were five poorvanchali candidates from BJP," said a BJP member. Aam Aadmi Party, on the other hand, had given tickets to 10 poorvanchali candidates.

Yadav said that the 'rich' parties use money to buy voters. "Activists like Kejriwal shouldn't be punished for speaking the truth. We have written to EC as it is a genuine issue and money and booze are used to buy votes," said Yadav.

In his letter, a copy of which is with TOI, Yadav has asked H S Brahma, chief election commissioner, to not issue a show-cause notice to AAP, "as that will not be in the interest of democracy".

When Yadav was asked if he is backing AAP, he said that he is with the party as "both AAP and JD(U) are on the same page against goading of poor people through money and alcohol". However, this is not the first time that the JD(U) chief has extended support to AAP.

During the Lok Sabha elections, Yadav backed Kejriwal when he decided to contest from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

AAP sources said JD(U) had not formally expressed any inclination to campaign for AAP. Kejriwal said: "Neither we have contacted JD(U), nor have they approached us. However, if someone wants to campaign for us they are most welcome to do so," he said.