The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will conduct mass Hanuman Chalisa recitals and Sunderkand Path events across Hindu-dominant seats in Punjab, aiming to counter the BJP’s Hindu-focused narrative ahead of the state assembly polls.
On July 12, AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia attended a Sunderkand Path in Delhi, signaling the start of this campaign. The initiative also seeks to highlight the BJP’s alleged involvement in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case.
AAP’s Religious Outreach Strategy
A senior AAP leader stated the party will target 6,000–8,000 polling booths in 37–38 assembly segments where Hindu voters are decisive. Of these, 6,000 booths are in Hindu-majority areas, while 2,000 are in mixed-population zones.
The month-long campaign will test the party’s newly structured booth-level system, assessing its efficiency and command chain.
Focus on BJP’s Expansion Areas
The AAP’s events will concentrate on regions where the BJP is expanding its presence. A leader noted that the BJP’s Hindu-Muslim polarization tactic may not resonate in Punjab, where Sikhs form 56–57% of the electorate and Hindus 37–38%.
The party insists its Hindu-focused programs won’t alienate Sikh voters, citing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership as a unifying factor.
Upcoming Political Optics
AAP is planning a mega event in Pathankot, "Ek Sham Shivji Ke Naam," to be attended by Kejriwal. Additionally, the party aims to leverage Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 17 visit to Jalandhar for political messaging.
