Poll battle in Haryana, but led by leaders from Punjab: Meet AAP’s new-look Lok Sabha team

The party has named Cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema as in charge for Sonipat; Baljinder Kaur for Hisar; Chetan Singh Jouramajra for Kurukshetra; Harbhajan Singh for Karnal; Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal for Rohtak; Anmol Gagan Maan for Ambala, Bram Shanker Jimpa for Faridabad; Laljit Singh Bhullar for Bhiwani-Mahendergarh; Lal Chand Kataruchak for Gurugram; and Balkar Singh for Sirsa.

“Heartiest congratulations to all the Lok Sabha in-charges appointed in Haryana. With your support, we will further accelerate the campaign of change in Haryana,” AAP Haryana unit senior vice president Anurag Dhanda said in a post on X.

Later, talking to the Indian Express, Dhanda said: “The party has appointed those leaders as in-charge for Haryana seats who have worked brilliantly for party organisation in Punjab. The move will give a message to the party workers in Haryana that those who are from common families too get big responsibilities. It will inspire the cadres to work hard.”

The AAP has hardly any presence in Haryana even though the state shares boundaries with Punjab and Delhi where the party is in power. But with the state elections scheduled in 2024, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has rolled out several plans to build cadre base in the state.

“The profile of ministers gives an advantage to the party in the large areas of parliamentary constituencies. With their appointment as in-charge, the party will also be able to communicate the works done in Punjab to the people of Haryana,” said Dhanda.

On the issue of a possible alliance with parties of INDIA bloc in Haryana, Dhanda said that the party senior leadership will take a call. Dhanda had a fortnight ago said the AAP will fight the 2024 Haryana Assembly polls on its own. He had also said that for the Lok Sabha election, there has been no discussion on seat sharing among the INDIA opposition bloc members yet.