In a strategic early move, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled its list of 11 candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections, anticipated early next year. The announcement highlights a mix of party loyalists and recent defectors from rival parties.Candidates and constituenciesProminent names include Brahma Singh Tanwar, contesting from Chhatarpur, and Anil Jha, representing Kiradi. Deepak Singhla has been nominated for Vishwas Nagar, while Sarita Singh will vie for the Rohtas Nagar seat. BB Tyagi will contest from Laxmi Nagar, and Ram Singh Netaji has been fielded in Badarpur.Other notable names include Zubair Chaudhary, contesting from Seelampur, and Veer Singh Dhingan, representing Seemapuri. Gaurav Sharma has been chosen for Ghonda, Manoj Tyagi for Karawal Nagar, and Somesh Shaukeen for Matiala.Turncoats make a markInterestingly, six of the announced candidates are recent turncoats, having joined AAP from BJP or Congress. Brahma Singh Tanwar and Anil Jha, both former BJP legislators, switched to AAP earlier this year. BB Tyagi, another former BJP leader, has served twice as a councillor in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.From the Congress, Veer Singh Dhingan, a three-time MLA from Seemapuri, and Somesh Shaukeen, a former MLA, have joined AAPs ranks. Zubair Chaudhary, the son of five-time Congress MLA Mateen Ahmed, is also among the candidates.Seasoned and emerging leadersThe list also includes seasoned party members. Sarita Singh, who leads AAPs student wing, Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, is a former MLA from Rohtas Nagar. Deepak Singhla, a senior AAP leader, narrowly lost to the BJPs Om Prakash Sharma in Vishwas Nagar during the last election.
