AAP Gears Up for 2027 Himachal Polls, Kejriwal Likely to Visit Shimla on November 15

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is preparing to contest the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, aiming to emerge as an alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress by strengthening its grassroots organisation and expanding its membership.

AAP Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rituraj Jha announced the party’s plans on Tuesday after inaugurating its new state office at Bawa Complex near the 7/11 Complex on Lower Mall in Shimla. He said AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was expected to visit Shimla around November 15 to outline the party’s strategy. Seven to eight leaders are also expected to join the party during the visit, although the date remains tentative.

Jha said more than 20,000 new members had joined AAP in the state, with membership drives underway in over 50 Assembly constituencies. The party has set a target of enrolling at least five lakh new members and plans to establish a strong organisational network from the booth level to the state level over the next three to four months.

Criticising the BJP and Congress, Jha accused both parties of failing to fulfil promises relating to education, employment, financial assistance for women and free electricity. He cited commitments involving Rs 1,500 for women and 300 units of free electricity, arguing that voters were looking for an alternative. He said AAP intended to replicate what it described as its governance model in Punjab.

The announcement comes after AAP’s disappointing performance in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. The party contested 67 of the state’s 68 constituencies but failed to win a seat, securing approximately 1.1 per cent of the vote. The Congress won 40 seats, while the BJP secured 25 in the 68-member Assembly.

Jha attributed AAP’s earlier setbacks to disruptions caused by the arrests of senior party leaders. He said the party was now preparing to contest the next elections with renewed strength.

He also announced plans to intensify protests and public outreach to hold the Congress government accountable for its promises. AAP’s immediate priorities include organisational consolidation, membership expansion and identifying potential candidates and leaders ahead of the 2027 polls.