Aam Aadmi Party State Convenor Anjali Damania who was initially supposed to contest the Lok Sabha election against BJP leader Nitin won’t be contesting the election. She would be playing the role of star campaigner for AAP party in the general election. Damania had alleged irregularities in the affairs of Gadkari’s Purti Group last year. Mayank Gandhi, Maharashtra President of Aam Aadmi Party confirmed that Anjali won’t be contesting election and would work for strengthening the party at grass roots level.
Talking to AV, Mayank Gandhi said, “I and Anjali Damania will be working for the development of the party in Maharashtra. If both of us contest election then we won’t be able to provide guidance to party workers. Hence Anjali will campaign aggressively for the party.”
When we spoke to Anjali Damania, she said, “If I will contest the election then I can’t focus on the work of party’s development. Therefore, I won’t contest election and instead would provide guidance to party workers keeping in mind the upcoming election.”
When asked Mayank Gandhi whether Anjali is not contesting election as she wants to avoid a faceoff with Nitin Gadkari he said, “It’s not true. AAP will field strong candidate against Nitin Gadkari who can give him a tough fight in the election.”
Even though Anjali might be campaigning for the party many leaders want her to contest election against Nitin Gadkari and defeat him. Maharashtra is a key state for the Aam Aadmi Party, not only because this is the birthplace of the India Against Corruption movement to which most senior AAP members of Maharashtra belong, but also because IAC and AAP members have built a large support base here.
AAP Maharashtra spokesperson and State Secretary, Preeti Sharma Menon said, “Anjali Damania is one of the strong contenders to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. She instead decided to not contest election and make strategies for the party’s expansion. I am pleased with Anjali’s decision to refrain from contesting election as she is working for the development of the party which needs to be appreciated.”
BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis said, “It is the personal decision of Anjali Damania to not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.”
Mayank Gandhi is likely to contest against Gurudas Kamat, Member of Parliament, Mumbai North West and AICC General Secretary and CWC member. Former CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland Meera Sanyal will be contesting against Milind Deora from South Mumbai.
