Kejriwal focuses on local issues in triangular contest for 7 LS seats in Delhi

As multiple attempts to seal a deal with Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections could not materialize, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seem to have given up national ambitions and focused on Delhi specific issues. The impression of local issues was all over in its manifesto but AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal surprised Delhiites with his slogan – this election is not to elect Prime Minister but to make Delhi a full-state. However, unlike the Delhi Assembly election 2015, the emphasis on dialogue and people's opinion is not emphasized in the manifesto.

The demand for full statehood for Delhi is the topmost agenda in the election manifesto of AAP for ensuing Lok Sabha elections. "We are ready to join hands with any political party to make Delhi a full state but BJP," said Arvind Kejriwal while releasing his manifesto. "If Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah returns to power, the only person responsible for this would be Rahul Gandhi," he added. He also blamed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the failure of a tie-up between AAP and Congress. "Which political alliance is made on twitter?" replied Kejriwal to Rahul Gandhi who had alleged AAP for the failure of talks.

In the 35-page manifesto, AAP has pitched itself from a local perspective – a unique feature of regional political parties. Besides, full statehood for Delhi being the topmost political agenda the other political promises in the manifesto are also based on full statehood. The main of the manifesto are:

• Police reforms and recruitment on vacant posts so that police personnel could take proper rest and get leaves.
• Reservation of 85% government jobs for Delhi voters.
• Reservation of 85% seats in Delhi colleges for Delhi students.
• Regularisation of contractual employees including teachers within one week of full statehood to Delhi.
• Delhi will be made free from garbage if AAP gets control of MCDs.
• DDA will be made free from corruption and people of Delhi will be given pucca homes in the next 10 years.
• Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) that was taken over by the Modi government will be given back to the Delhi government and deployed to eradicate corruption.
• Lokpal will be constituted with powers to investigate the Chief Minister as well.

In fact, most of these issues are already displayed on the hoardings of AAP in the city. The party has also promised to ensure 33 % reservation for women in Delhi police but this has already been implanted in Delhi, Bihar and some other states since 2016. The strengthening of education facilities, power, water, transport and infrastructure are the other Delhi centric promises AAP has made in its manifesto. However, the previous promise of free wifi is not there.

Interestingly, AAP had contested 2014 Lok Sabha polls on a high pitch of national politics.