AAP scouts for candidates for Pune and Maval

Arvind Kejriwal

With eyes set on the general polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Pune, is now scouting for candidates for four Lok Sabha seats in the district.
While names of former bureaucrat Arun Bhatia and senior socialist leader Subhas Ware are doing the rounds as possible candidates for Pune Lok Sabha seat, party insiders say farmers’ rights activist Ulka Mahajan is being considered for the Maval seat.
The recently held national executive of the party had decided to contest around 300 seats in the general elections. Maharashtra has been identified by AAP as an important state where they wish to fight almost all seats.
Senior party leaders such as Anjali Damania and Vijay Pandhare have been touring the state to increase membership drives and form state-level committees. In Pune, the party has managed to form committees in 17 of the 21 Assembly constituencies and has more than 15,000 members now. Talks are now on to ask Mahajan to join the party.
Confirming the move, state convenor Damania said district convenor Maruti Bhapkar and other leaders have requested Mahajan to join the party along with fellow activists. “Mahajan has been involved in people’s movement for many years and has led the agitation against land acquisition in Maval area for SEZ and industrial purposes. We have requested her to consider joining us,” she said.
Sources in the party said Mahajan has for years lead the agitation in Karla, Raigad, Uran and other areas and has a good mass base. Mahajan, on her part, appeared non-committal about her decision. “Yes, they have approached me for joining the party but I am yet to make a decision. I have to consult my organisation and would take a call,” she said.