Aam Aadmi Party

File:Aam Aadmi Party logo.svg

File:Anaa Hazare with Anupam Kher, Manish Sisodia and Kumar Vishwas.jpg movement]]

Massive anti-corruption protests and strikes in 2011 were initiated by a well known social activist Anna Hazare in response to exposure of unprecedented financial scams and corruption by erstwhile UPA government. The aim was to press the government to enact a strong and effective Lokpal (Federal Ombudsman) through a Jan Lokpal Bill.{{sfn|Sharma|2014|pp=39}} Hazare was supported by a clutch of activists and professionals which became popularly known as Team Anna. Team Anna also included a civil-servant turned activist Arvind Kejriwal.{{sfn|Sharma|2014|pp=40-41}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Anna-Hazare-confirms-rift-with-Arvind-Kejriwal-says-his-apolitical-mass-movement-will-continue/articleshow/16456231.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018211416/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-19/india/33951624_1_anna-hazare-team-anna-members-political-alternative |url-status=live |archive-date=18 October 2012 |title=Anna Hazare confirms rift with Arvind Kejriwal, says his apolitical mass movement will continue |first1=Radheshyam |last1=Jadhav |first2=Sarang |last2=Dastane |date=19 September 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=3 August 2013}} Hazare had wanted to keep the movement politically neutral but Kejriwal considered that direct involvement in politics was necessary because attempts to obtain progress regarding the Jan Lokpal Bill through talks with existing political parties had, in his opinion, achieved nothing. A survey conducted on a Facebook page that purported to be operated by India Against Corruption{{cite news |title=India Against Corruption assets caught in tug of war |work=Business Standard|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-against-corruption-assets-caught-in-tug-of-war-112092203017_1.html |date=22 September 2012 |author=Sreelatha Menon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205032157/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-against-corruption-assets-caught-in-tug-of-war-112092203017_1.html |archive-date=5 December 2014 }} and other social networking services had indicated that there was wide support for politicisation.{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi |date=19 September 2012 |title=Anna Hazare tells Arvind Kejriwal not to use his name, photo for votes as they part ways |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/team-anna-split-anna-hazare-arvind-kejriwal-part-ways/1/217947.html |access-date=12 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215015/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/team-anna-split-anna-hazare-arvind-kejriwal-part-ways/1/217947.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}{{cite news|title=So what is the Aam Aadmi Party all about|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/what-is-the-aam-aadmi-party-all-about/1/234564.html|date=24 November 2012|work=India Today|location=New Delhi|access-date=12 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304205801/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/what-is-the-aam-aadmi-party-all-about/1/234564.html|archive-date=4 March 2013}} Hazare rejected the poll, saying "elections require huge funds, which will be tough for activists to organise without compromising on their values". He also said it would be difficult to ensure that candidates are not corrupted once elected.{{cite news |title=Anna Hazare confirms split, asks Arvind Kejriwal not to use his name or photo |publisher=NDTV |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/anna-hazare-confirms-split-asks-arvind-kejriwal-not-to-use-his-name-or-photo-269577 |date=19 September 2012 |author=Abhinav Bhatt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205171951/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/anna-hazare-confirms-split-asks-arvind-kejriwal-not-to-use-his-name-or-photo-269577 |archive-date=5 December 2014 }}{{cite news |title=Anna Hazare splits Team Anna |publisher=NDTV |url=http://www.iacmumbai.info/2012/09/19/anna-hazare-splits-team-anna |date=19 September 2012 |author=Abhinav Bhatt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204085133/http://www.iacmumbai.info/2012/09/19/anna-hazare-splits-team-anna |archive-date=4 December 2014 |access-date=28 November 2014 }} Hazare and Kejriwal agreed on 19 September 2012 that their differences regarding a role in politics were irreconcilable. Kejriwal had support from some anti-corruption movement activists, such as Prashant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan, but was opposed by others such as Kiran Bedi and Santosh Hegde. On 2 October,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20492056 |title=India activist Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party vows change |date=26 November 2012 |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727125439/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20492056 |archive-date=27 July 2013 }} Kejriwal announced that he was forming a political party and that he intended the formal launch to be on 26 November, coinciding with the anniversary of India's adoption of its Constitution in 1949.

The party's name reflects the phrase Aam Aadmi ({{Translation|common man}}), whose interests Kejriwal proposed to represent. A party constitution was adopted on 24 November 2012, when a National Council comprising 320 people and a National Executive of 23 were also formed. Both the Council and the Executive were expected to have more members in due course, with the intention being that all districts and all classes of people would have a voice. Various committees were proposed to be formed to draft proposals for adoption by the party in a process that was expected to take several months. Although one aim was to limit nepotism, there were complaints at this initial meeting that the selection of people invited to attend was itself an example of such practices.{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi |date=24 November 2012 |title=Arvind Kejriwal's answer to Congress's 'mango people', names his political front as Aam Aadmi Party |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-names-his-political-party-as-aam-aadmi-party/1/234522.html |work=India Today |access-date=12 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707054715/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-names-his-political-party-as-aam-aadmi-party/1/234522.html |archive-date=7 July 2013 }} The party was formally launched in Delhi on 26 November{{cite news|title=Arvind Kejriwal formally launches Aam Aadmi Party|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-aam-aadmi-party-formal-launch-jantar-mantar/1/234729.html|work=India Today|access-date=26 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126195211/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-aam-aadmi-party-formal-launch-jantar-mantar/1/234729.html|archive-date=26 November 2012}} and in March 2013, it was registered as a political party by the Election Commission of India.{{cite news|title=Aam Aadmi Party now a registered political party|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aam-aadmi-party-now-a-registered-political-party/article4539185.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527000943/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aam-aadmi-party-now-a-registered-political-party/article4539185.ece|archive-date=27 May 2013}}{{efn|The Election Commission of India gazetted the AAP as a "registered unrecognised party" on 9 April 2013.{{cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/AmendmentNotificationEng09042013.pdf |title=Election Commission of India Notification |page=2 |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203024423/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/AmendmentNotificationEng09042013.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}}}

On 26 November 2012, the formal launch day of the AAP, former law minister Shanti Bhushan donated {{INRConvert|10|m}} to the party. Prashant Bhushan, his son, was a member of the party's National Executive Committee.{{citation |title=New Delhi Shanti Bhushan donates Rs. 1 crore to Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Shanti-Bhushan-donates-Rs-1-crore-to-Kejriwal-s-Aam-Aadmi-Party/Article1-964698.aspx |date=26 November 2012 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127162609/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Shanti-Bhushan-donates-Rs-1-crore-to-Kejriwal-s-Aam-Aadmi-Party/Article1-964698.aspx |archive-date=27 November 2012 }} The party raised {{INRConvert|20|c}} by November 2013 and received {{INRConvert|18|c}} in 2015 assembly polls.{{citation |title=Is the aam aadmi missing from AAP funding? |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/is-the-aam-aadmi-missing-from-aap-funding-116090400750_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=4 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085843/http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/is-the-aam-aadmi-missing-from-aap-funding-116090400750_1.html |archive-date=15 March 2017 |last1=Makkar |first1=Sahil }}

On 18 May 2013, a group of Indian Americans from 20 different cities in the US held a convention in Chicago and extended support to the AAP. The convention was attended by two AAP leaders, Kumar Vishwas and Yogendra Yadav, and Kejriwal addressed it via video conferencing.{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indianamericans-extend-support-to-kejriwals-aam-aadmi-party/392801-37.html|title=Indian-Americans extend support to Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party|date=20 May 2013|publisher=IBN Live|agency=Press Trust of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227201724/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indianamericans-extend-support-to-kejriwals-aam-aadmi-party/392801-37.html|archive-date=27 December 2013}} Aruna Roy and Medha Patkar, who had differences with Kejriwal on certain issues, supported him after his 15-day fast against inflated electricity bills.

On 22 March 2014, the Janata Dal (Secular) party of Delhi announced it would merge with the Aam Aadmi Party, citing Kejriwal's tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi.{{cite web|title=JD(S) Delhi unit merges with AAP|url=http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/jds-delhi-merges-with-aap|publisher=Aam Aadmi Party|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807040723/http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/jds-delhi-merges-with-aap|archive-date=7 August 2016}}{{cite web|title=JD(S) Delhi unit merges with AAP|url=https://twitter.com/aamaadmiparty/status/447346374846074880|publisher=AAP on Twitter|access-date=23 August 2018|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428055227/https://twitter.com/aamaadmiparty/status/447346374846074880|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}}

Two of the founders of the party, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, left the Aam Aadmi Party and formed Swaraj Abhiyan.{{citation |title=Good people who left AAP will return: Arvind Kejriwal |date=22 April 2017 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mcd-election-2017-good-people-who-left-aap-will-return-arvind-kejriwal-1684664 |work=NDTV |access-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418012530/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mcd-election-2017-good-people-who-left-aap-will-return-arvind-kejriwal-1684664 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 April 2023}}

On 23 March 2013, Kejriwal began an indefinite fast in an attempt to mobilise people against inflated power and electricity bills at a house in Sundar Nagri, a low-income group resettlement colony in North-East Delhi.{{cite news|title=Kejriwal's indefinite fast in Delhi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kejriwals-indefinite-fast-in-Delhi/articleshow/19146694.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203062541/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-23/delhi/37959821_1_leader-arvind-kejriwal-today-fake-bills-inflated-bills |url-status=live |archive-date=3 December 2013 |date=29 March 2013 |work=The Times of India|access-date=23 March 2013}} During the protest, he urged Delhi citizens not to pay "inflated" water and electricity bills.{{cite news |first=Danish |last=Raza |date=24 March 2013 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/kerjiwal-moves-to-delhis-power-corridor-to-protest-against-inflated-power-bills-673015.html |title=Kerjiwal moves to Delhi's power corridor to protest against 'inflated' power bills |work=First Post|access-date=19 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102155612/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/kerjiwal-moves-to-delhis-power-corridor-to-protest-against-inflated-power-bills-673015.html |archive-date=2 January 2014 }} The AAP also demanded an audit of power and electricity supply in Delhi by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, something that was also supported by civil society groups like the National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM).{{cite news|title=Civil society groups support Kejriwal's campaign against "inflated" power bills|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/civil-society-groups-support-kejriwals-campaign-against-inflated-power-bills/article4576216.ece|work=The Hindu|date=3 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203214532/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/civil-society-groups-support-kejriwals-campaign-against-inflated-power-bills/article4576216.ece|archive-date=3 December 2013}} The AAP claimed that the protest gathered support from {{formatnum:100000}} people in Delhi on a single day and more than {{formatnum:300000}} people up to 28 March 2013.{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |date=29 March 2013 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/eminent-personalities-support-kejriwals-movement/articleshow/19276389.cms |title=Eminent personalities support Kejriwal's movement |work=The Economic Times |access-date=19 July 2013 |archive-date=6 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506175429/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/eminent-personalities-support-kejriwals-movement/articleshow/19276389.cms |url-status=live }} Anna Hazare urged Kejriwal to end the fast on 29 March and he did so on 6 April.{{cite news|title=Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal Ends Two-week long fast|url=http://tehelka.com/aam-aadmi-party-leader-arvind-kejriwal-ends-two-week-long-fast/|access-date=18 June 2013|publisher=Tehelka.com|date=6 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509130906/http://tehelka.com/aam-aadmi-party-leader-arvind-kejriwal-ends-two-week-long-fast/|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=dead}}

On 10 June 2013, Kejriwal supported agitation by Delhi auto rickshaw drivers, who were protesting the Delhi government's ban on advertisements on auto rickshaws. Kejriwal claimed the government's ban was because the drivers supported his party and carried AAP's advertisements on their vehicles. He said that the AAP would put 10,000 advertisements on auto rickshaws as a protest.{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Mohammed|title=Kejriwal slams Sheila for banning ads on autos|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/kejriwal-slams-sheila-for-banning-ads-on-autos/article4801973.ece|access-date=14 June 2013|work=The Hindu|date=11 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613125341/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/kejriwal-slams-sheila-for-banning-ads-on-autos/article4801973.ece|archive-date=13 June 2013}} In retrospect, after Kejriwal had been elected and then resigned his position, a union representing the drivers expressed dissatisfaction, saying: "Arvind Kejriwal, who had won the elections because of the support of the auto drivers, has betrayed them by not fulfilling any of the promises made before the elections".{{cite news|title=Auto-Rickshaw Union Refuses to Support Kejriwal|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=829789|access-date=6 March 2014|newspaper=Outlook India|date=20 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307112420/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=829789|archive-date=7 March 2014}}

On 22 April 2015, the AAP organised a rally in Delhi against a land acquisition bill.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Farmers-suicide-at-AAP-rally-Cops-probing-if-he-was-provoked-to-climb-tree/articleshow/47020691.cms|title=Farmer's 'suicide' at AAP rally: Cops probing if he was provoked to climb tree|newspaper=The Times of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423153437/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Farmers-suicide-at-AAP-rally-Cops-probing-if-he-was-provoked-to-climb-tree/articleshow/47020691.cms|archive-date=23 April 2015}}

File:Arvind Kejriwal 2022 Official Portrail.jpg]]

Though the party doesn't follow any specific ideology , at the time of formation, the AAP said that the promise of equality and justice that forms a part of the Constitution of India and of its preamble has not been fulfilled and that the Independence of India has replaced enslavement to an oppressive foreign power with that to a political elite. It claimed that the common people of India remain unheard and unseen except when it suits politicians. The AAP's goal is to reverse the way that government accountability operates, and the party takes an interpretation of the Gandhian socialist concept of swaraj as a tenet. It believes that through swaraj, the government will be directly accountable to the people instead of higher officials. The swaraj model lays stress on self-governance, community building, and decentralization.{{cite web |title=Goal of Swaraj |url=http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/page/goal-of-swaraj |publisher=Aam Aadmi Party|access-date=12 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611080545/http://aamaadmiparty.org/page/goal-of-swaraj |archive-date=11 June 2013 }}{{cite book |title=Mahatma Gandhi: Nonviolent Power in Action |publisher=Columbia University Press |first=Dennis |last=Dalton |author-link=Dennis Dalton |edition=Revised |orig-year=1993 |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-231-15959-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KxUp1igCL_0C&q=77 |page=77 |access-date=13 June 2013 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706090958/https://books.google.com/books?id=KxUp1igCL_0C&q=77 |url-status=live }}

Kejriwal has stated that the AAP refuses to be guided by ideologies and that they are entering politics to change the system, saying, "We are common men. If we find our solution in the left, we are happy to borrow it from there. If we find our solution in the right, we are happy to borrow it from there."{{cite news |title=Arvind Kejriwal is not an angry man. Or a socialist. |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/arvind-kejriwal-is-not-an-angry-man-or-a-socialist-858861.html |newspaper=First Post |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=10 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112083216/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/arvind-kejriwal-is-not-an-angry-man-or-a-socialist-858861.html |archive-date=12 November 2013 }} Kejriwal has put forward 3 pillars of Aam Aadmi Party's core ideology: staunch patriotism, staunch honesty and humanity.{{Cite news |title=Hardcore patriotism, honesty, humanity pillars of AAP ideology reflected in Delhi budget: Kejriwal |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/hardcore-patriotism-honesty-humanity-pillars-of-aap-ideology-reflected-in-delhi-budget-kejriwal/articleshow/90519818.cms |agency=PTI |date=29 March 2022 |access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101020813/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/hardcore-patriotism-honesty-humanity-pillars-of-aap-ideology-reflected-in-delhi-budget-kejriwal/articleshow/90519818.cms |url-status=live }}

The party advocates scrapping Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and legalizing both homosexuality and same-sex marriage.{{cite news|work=The Times of India|title=AAP unveils Mumbai manifesto, vows to decriminalize gay sex|date=10 April 2014|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/AAP-unveils-Mumbai-manifesto-vows-to-decriminalize-gay-sex/articleshow/33567461.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331004428/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/AAP-unveils-Mumbai-manifesto-vows-to-decriminalize-gay-sex/articleshow/33567461.cms|archive-date=31 March 2018}} The party is also regarded as being populist,{{citation |title=The populist politics of the Aam Aadmi Party|publisher=London School of Economics|url=http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2014/01/15/the-populist-politics-of-the-aam-aadmi-party |first1=Mitali |last1=Nikore |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=30 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201080821/http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2014/01/15/the-populist-politics-of-the-aam-aadmi-party/|archive-date=1 December 2016}} and centrist.{{Cite news|title=No soft Hindutva, no Left Revolution, Kejriwal establishing a new centre in Indian politics|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/no-soft-hindutva-no-left-revolution-kejriwal-establishing-a-new-centre-in-indian-politics/358776/|date=3 February 2020|first1=Rama|last1=Lakshmi|access-date=11 February 2020|work=ThePrint|archive-date=23 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023071209/https://theprint.in/opinion/no-soft-hindutva-no-left-revolution-kejriwal-establishing-a-new-centre-in-indian-politics/358776/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-rise-of-aap-and-a-central-question/article65268456.ece |title=The rise of AAP and a central question |date=29 March 2022 |first1=Asmin |last1=Ali |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506023225/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-rise-of-aap-and-a-central-question/article65268456.ece |url-status=live }}

The party leadership consists of the following bodies:

• National Convener: Arvind Kejriwal
• National Secretary: Pankaj Gupta
• National Treasurer: Narain Dass Gupta

Political Affairs Committee is the highest decision-making body of the party.{{cite news |title=Newsmaker {{!}} At 31, an old AAP hand and now party's Rajinder Nagar candidate |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/newsmaker-at-31-an-old-aap-hand-and-now-partys-rajinder-nagar-candidate-7943476/ |access-date=23 June 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=31 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623101102/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/newsmaker-at-31-an-old-aap-hand-and-now-partys-rajinder-nagar-candidate-7943476/ |url-status=live }} The current member of the PAC are Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Gopal Rai, Atishi, Imran Hussain, Durgesh Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Rakhi Bidlan. Pankaj Kr Gupta (National Secretary) and Narain Dass Gupta (National Treasurer) are the ex officio members of the PAC.{{cite web |title=Political Affairs Committee {{!}} Aam Aadmi Party |url=https://aamaadmiparty.org/political-affairs-committee/ |access-date=19 January 2022 |date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124174620/https://aamaadmiparty.org/political-affairs-committee/ |url-status=live }}

The party's National Executive Committee had 34 members in 2022.{{cite web |title=National Executive {{!}} Aam Aadmi Party |url=https://aamaadmiparty.org/about/national-executive/ |access-date=19 January 2022 |date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=17 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717182201/http://aamaadmiparty.org/national-executive |url-status=live }}

The AAP has state wings in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram,{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Nidhi |date=2023-02-19 |title=AAP to contest 5 of 9 state polls this year |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aap-to-contest-5-of-9-state-polls-this-year/articleshow/98050414.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0013-0389}} Punjab, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

{{main|Electoral history of the Aam Aadmi Party}}

{{Main|2013 Delhi Legislative Assembly election}}

The 2013 Delhi state assembly elections were the party's first electoral contest. The Election Commission approved the symbol of a broom for use by the AAP in that campaign.{{cite news|title=Aam Aadmi Party gets broom as election symbol|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aam-aadmi-party-gets-broom-as-election-symbol/410942-37.html|access-date=2 August 2013|publisher=IBN Live|date=31 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803083441/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aam-aadmi-party-gets-broom-as-election-symbol/410942-37.html|archive-date=3 August 2013}} The party said that its candidates were honest and had been screened for potential criminal backgrounds.{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/aap-picks-its-candidates-filmmaker-homemaker-and-loyalists-800919.html |title=AAP picks candidates: Filmmaker, homemaker and loyalists |first=Danish |last=Raza |date=21 May 2013 |work=First Post|access-date=19 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728193528/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/aap-picks-its-candidates-filmmaker-homemaker-and-loyalists-800919.html |archive-date=28 July 2013 }} It published its central manifesto on 20 November 2013, promising to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days of coming to power.{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/delhi-aap-promises-700-litres-of-free-water-cheap-power-jan-lokpal/435206-80-258.html |title=Delhi: AAP promises 700 litres of free water, cheap power, Jan Lokpal |publisher=IBN |date=20 November 2013 |access-date=30 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123235400/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/delhi-aap-promises-700-litres-of-free-water-cheap-power-jan-lokpal/435206-80-258.html |archive-date=23 November 2013 }}

In November 2013, a sting operation conducted by Media Sarkar alleged that several leaders of the AAP, including Kumar Vishwas and Shazia Ilmi, had agreed to extend their support to some people seeking assistance with land deals and other financial arrangements in return for donations in cash to the AAP.{{cite news |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/DEL-sting-operation-controversial-political-career-shazia-ilmi-aam-aadmi-party-delhi-4441540-PHO.html |work=Daily Bhaskar |title=RECAP: The controversial political career of Shazia Ilmi |date=22 November 2013 |access-date=4 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112101008/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/DEL-sting-operation-controversial-political-career-shazia-ilmi-aam-aadmi-party-delhi-4441540-PHO.html |archive-date=12 January 2014 }} Ilmi offered to withdraw her candidature as a result, but the party refused to accept her offer, describing the footage as fabricated and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aap-defends-shazia-ilmi-threatens-to-sue-media-sarkar-and-tv-channels/1198331/ |title=AAP defends Shazia Ilmi, threatens to sue Media Sarkar and TV channels |work=The Indian Express|date=23 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124075245/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aap-defends-shazia-ilmi-threatens-to-sue-media-sarkar-and-tv-channels/1198331/ |archive-date=24 November 2013 }} The Election Commission ordered an inquiry regarding the legitimacy of the video.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ec-begins-inquiry-into-sting-operation-against-aap-leaders/1/326154.html |title=EC begins inquiry into sting operation against AAP leaders |work=India Today |date=22 November 2013 |access-date=30 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202043732/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ec-begins-inquiry-into-sting-operation-against-aap-leaders/1/326154.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}{{clarify|reason=what was the outcome of this inquiry?|date=August 2016}}

The AAP emerged as the second-largest party in Delhi, winning 28 of the 70 Assembly seats; the Bharatiya Janata Party, as the largest party, won 31, while its ally Shiromani Akali Dal, won 1; Indian National Congress won 8, and two were won by others.{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/delhi-polls-bjp-ahead-aap-inches-to-second-113120800100_1.html|title=Delhi polls -BJP ahead, AAP inches to second|agency=ANI|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=8 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213025515/http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/delhi-polls-bjp-ahead-aap-inches-to-second-113120800100_1.html|archive-date=13 December 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://eciresults.nic.in/PartyWiseResult.htm |publisher=Election Commission of India |title=Assembly Elections December 2013 Results |access-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215065208/http://eciresults.nic.in/PartyWiseResult.htm |archive-date=15 December 2013 }} On 28 December 2013, the AAP formed a minority government in the hung Assembly, with what Sheila Dikshit describes as "not unconditional" support from Indian National Congress.{{cite news |title=Fulfill promises, Sheila Dikshit tells Aam Aadmi Party |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |publisher=NDTV |date=23 December 2013 |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/fulfill-promises-sheila-dikshit-tells-aam-aadmi-party-462091?curl=1387819909 |access-date=23 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224084523/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/fulfill-promises-sheila-dikshit-tells-aam-aadmi-party-462091?curl=1387819909 |archive-date=24 December 2013 }} Kejriwal became the second-youngest Chief Minister of Delhi.{{cite news |title=Arvind Kejriwal becomes Delhi's youngest Chief Minister |publisher=IBN |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2013/delhi-assembly-elections/Aam-Admi-Arvind-Kejriwal-takes-oath-as-Delhi-CM-vows-change-in-governance/articleshow/28047952.cms |date=28 December 2013 |access-date=28 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229135831/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2013/delhi-assembly-elections/Aam-Admi-Arvind-Kejriwal-takes-oath-as-Delhi-CM-vows-change-in-governance/articleshow/28047952.cms |archive-date=29 December 2013 }} As a result of the Delhi elections, the AAP became a recognised state party in Delhi.{{cite news|title=EC recognises AAP as state party, Centre not in a hurry to impose President's rule in Delhi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/EC-recognizes-AAP-as-state-party-Centre-not-in-a-hurry-to-impose-Presidents-rule-in-Delhi/articleshow/27657213.cms|access-date=2 February 2015|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219150412/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/EC-recognizes-AAP-as-state-party-Centre-not-in-a-hurry-to-impose-Presidents-rule-in-Delhi/articleshow/27657213.cms|archive-date=19 December 2013}}

{{Main|2014 Indian general election}}The AAP fielded 434 candidates in the 2014 Indian general election, in which it did not expect to do well. It recognised that its support was based primarily in urban areas and that different strategies might be required for different regions of the country. The party pointed out that its funding was limited and that there were too many demands for local visits from Kejriwal. The intention was to field candidates in large numbers to maximise the likelihood of recognition as a national party by the Election Commission.{{cite news |title=AAP gears for Lok Sabha polls, to contest all seats in Gujarat, Haryana |publisher=Indian Express Portal |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/aap-gears-for-lok-sabha-polls-to-contest-all-seats-in-gujarat-haryana/1215513/0 |date=28 December 2013 |access-date=4 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140204144711/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/aap-gears-for-lok-sabha-polls-to-contest-all-seats-in-gujarat-haryana/1215513/0 |archive-date=4 February 2014 }}{{cite news |title=Aam Aadmi Party seeks national role, names 426 candidates |first=Brajesh |last=Kumar |work=Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/elections2014/state-of-the-states/with-426-names-aap-leads-list-race/article1-1203578.aspx |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095621/http://www.hindustantimes.com/elections2014/state-of-the-states/with-426-names-aap-leads-list-race/article1-1203578.aspx |archive-date=7 April 2014 }} The outcome was that four AAP candidates won, all from Punjab.{{cite web |title=Constituency-wise Detailed Results – General Elections, 2014 – 16th Lok Sabha (page 258 of 492) |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2014/33%20-%20Constituency%20wise%20detailed%20result.pdf#page=258 |access-date=24 August 2016 |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123041546/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2014/33%20-%20Constituency%20wise%20detailed%20result.pdf#page=258 |archive-date=23 November 2016 }} Consequently, the AAP became a recognised state party in Punjab.{{cite news|title=AAP recognised state party in Punjab|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aap-recognised-state-party-in-punjab-1993078|access-date=2 February 2015|work=Daily News and Analysis|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223112756/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aap-recognised-state-party-in-punjab-1993078|archive-date=23 February 2015}} The party obtained 2% of all votes cast nationwide and 414 of its candidates forfeited their deposit by failing to secure one-sixth of the vote in their constituencies.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/AAP-may-have-lost-Rs-1-crore-in-election-deposits/articleshow/35575404.cms |title=AAP may have lost Rs 1 crore in election deposits |work=The Times of India |date=25 May 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528050443/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/AAP-may-have-lost-Rs-1-crore-in-election-deposits/articleshow/35575404.cms |archive-date=28 May 2014 }} Although the party secured 32.9 per cent of the votes in Delhi, it failed to win any seats there.{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/PartyWiseResultU05.htm?st=U05|title=Election Commission of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121625/http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/PartyWiseResultU05.htm?st=U05|archive-date=17 May 2014|access-date=17 May 2014}}

AAP convenor, Arvind Kejriwal fought from Varanasi against BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, but lost by a margin of 371,784 (20.30%) votes and came second ahead of BSP, Congress, SP.{{Cite web |agency=TNN |date=May 17, 2014 |title=Election results: Arvind Kejriwal bags over 2 lakh votes in Varanasi, ahead of Cong, SP, BSP |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/election-results-arvind-kejriwal-bags-over-2-lakh-votes-in-varanasi-ahead-of-cong-sp-bsp/articleshow/35235116.cms |access-date=2022-12-08 |work=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405071525/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/election-results-arvind-kejriwal-bags-over-2-lakh-votes-in-varanasi-ahead-of-cong-sp-bsp/articleshow/35235116.cms |url-status=live }}

Immediately after the elections, Shazia Ilmi (PAC member) resigned from the party.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shazia-ilmi-quits-aap/article6044201.ece |title=Shazia Ilmi quits AAP |work=The Hindu |date=24 May 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627220905/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shazia-ilmi-quits-aap/article6044201.ece |archive-date=27 June 2014 }} The National Executive member Yogendra Yadav in a letter to his party members criticised Kejriwal's style of leadership.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/AAP-vs-AAP-Full-text-of-Manish-Sisodia-and-Yogendra-Yadavs-letters/articleshow/36156171.cms |title=AAP vs AAP: Full text of Manish Sisodia and Yogendra Yadav's letters |work=The Times of India |date=6 June 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609063337/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/AAP-vs-AAP-Full-text-of-Manish-Sisodia-and-Yogendra-Yadavs-letters/articleshow/36156171.cms |archive-date=9 June 2014 }}

After the National Executive meeting on 8 June, the party and Kejriwal acknowledged these differences and announced the launch of "Mission Vistar" (Mission Expand), to include more people in local as well as national decision making.{{cite web |url=http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/aap-national-executive-resolutions |title=AAP national executive resolutions |publisher=Aam Aadmi Party |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614005338/http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/aap-national-executive-resolutions |archive-date=14 June 2014 }}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Vote Share of different parties in the 2015 Delhi election.

|other = yes

|value1 = 53.4

|label1 = Aam Aadmi Party

|color1 = {{party color|Aam Aadmi Party}}

|value2 = 32.2

|label2 = BJP

|color2 = orange

|value3 = 9.7

|label3 = INC

|color3 = aqua

|value4 = 1.3

|label4 = BSP

|color4 = blue

|value5 = 0.6

|label5 = INLD

|color5 = silver

|value6 = 0.5

|label6 = Independents

|color6 = red

|value7 = 0.5

|label7 = SAD

|color7 = darkblue

|value8 = 0.4

|label8 = NOTA

|color8 = darkgreen

}}

The Delhi state assembly elections for the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi were held on 7 February 2015, as declared by the Election Commission of India.{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/election-commission-announce-delhi-assembly-poll-date-today-620071 |title=Election Commission Announces Delhi Assembly Poll Date: Voting on 7 Feb |date=12 January 2015 |work=International Business Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202084335/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/election-commission-announce-delhi-assembly-poll-date-today-620071 |archive-date=2 February 2015 }} The Aam Aadmi Party scored a landslide victory by winning a majority of 67 of the 70 seats. The BJP was able to win 3 seats and the Congress party saw all its candidates lose.{{cite web|title=Party-wise Winning Candidates|url=http://ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/assemblyelection2015/PartyWiseWinningCandidates.pdf|website=Delhi Assembly Elections – 2015|publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329030534/http://ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/assemblyelection2015/PartyWiseWinningCandidates.pdf|archive-date=29 March 2016}} Kejriwal became the Chief Minister for the second time.({{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/live-delhi-election-results-2015-arvind-kejriwals-aap-leading-in-11-constituencies/41064/ |title=Delhi election results 2015: Arvind Kejriwal's AAP sweeps BJP right out of the city |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301032229/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/live-delhi-election-results-2015-arvind-kejriwals-aap-leading-in-11-constituencies/41064/ |archive-date=1 March 2015 |access-date=21 March 2022}}). The AAP had started campaigning in Delhi in November 2014 and declared candidates for all 70 seats.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/with-new-faces-and-young-team-aap-hits-campaign-trail/article1-1303093.aspx |title=Delhi: With new faces, AAP hits campaign trail |work=Hindustan Times |date=3 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103213526/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/with-new-faces-and-young-team-aap-hits-campaign-trail/article1-1303093.aspx |archive-date=3 January 2015 }}

During the campaign, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP had been trying to bribe AAP volunteers. He asked Delhi voters to not deny the bribes offered to them. He suggested that voters should accept the bribe from others and yet vote for AAP through the secret ballot in the election.{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/now-kejriwal-asks-aap-volunteers-to-take-money-and-do-sting_1538065.html|title=Now, Kejriwal asks AAP volunteers to take money and do sting|work=Zee News|date=29 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203083625/http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/now-kejriwal-asks-aap-volunteers-to-take-money-and-do-sting_1538065.html|archive-date=3 February 2015}} The situation caused the Election Commission of India to instruct Kejriwal to desist from breaking laws governing the model code of conduct for elections in India,{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/congress-moves-election-commission-against-arvind-kejriwals-bribe-remarks/31799/|title=Congress moves Election Commission against Arvind Kejriwal's bribe remarks|work=The Financial Express|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034427/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/congress-moves-election-commission-against-arvind-kejriwals-bribe-remarks/31799/|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=10 February 2015}} but the Delhi court then allowed Kejriwal to challenge this.{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/TYmNsoTTWSNCgjljm8nN7N/Court-to-hear-plea-against-Arvind-Kejriwals-bribe-remark-on.html#nav=latest_news|title=Court to hear plea against Arvind Kejriwal's bribe remark on Tuesday|date=2 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205011640/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/TYmNsoTTWSNCgjljm8nN7N/Court-to-hear-plea-against-Arvind-Kejriwals-bribe-remark-on.html#nav=latest_news|archive-date=5 February 2015}}

The President's Rule was subsequently rescinded and Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi with six cabinet ministers (Manish Sisodia, Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, and Jitender Singh Tomar).{{cite news|title=Kejriwal appointed Delhi Chief Minister|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/kejriwal-appointed-delhi-chief-minister/article6892633.ece?ref=relatedNews|work=The Hindu|date=13 February 2015|access-date=14 February 2015|archive-date=6 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706090926/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/Kejriwal-appointed-Delhi-Chief-Minister/article60330600.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Arvind Kejriwal takes oath as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi at Ramlila Maidan|newspaper=The Economic Times|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/arvind-kejriwal-takes-oath-as-the-eighth-chief-minister-of-delhi-at-ramlila-maidan/articleshow/46242583.cms|access-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217013941/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/arvind-kejriwal-takes-oath-as-the-eighth-chief-minister-of-delhi-at-ramlila-maidan/articleshow/46242583.cms|archive-date=17 February 2015}}

Major differences surfaced within the party leadership soon after its victory. It created deep fissures between the founding members who had together championed the anti-corruption movement. Problems emerged in February 2015 when Yogendra Yadav and Prashanth Bhushan wrote a joint letter to the National Executive, highlighting Kejriwal's tendency to unilateral decision-making, which they alleged had compromised the party's core principle of Swaraj.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/its-over-yadav-bhushans-open-letter-to-kejriwal-suggests-aaps-headed-for-big-break-up-2176113.html|title=It's over! Yadav, Bhushan's open letter to Kejriwal suggests AAP's headed for big break up|author=Debobrat Ghose|date=27 March 2015|work=Firstpost|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910090945/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/its-over-yadav-bhushans-open-letter-to-kejriwal-suggests-aaps-headed-for-big-break-up-2176113.html|archive-date=10 September 2015}} After continued allegations, counter-allegations and several failed attempts at reconciliation between the two sides, Yadav and Bhushan were first removed from the PAC and later from the National Executive after the party's National Council passed a resolution to expel them for their alleged anti-party activities.{{cite web|title=AAP reconciliation talks fail; Yadav, Bhushan accuse Kejriwal of forcing them to quit|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/aap-reconciliation-talks-fail-yadav-bhushan-accuse-kejriwal-forcing-quit-2175459.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=First Post|date=26 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429124957/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/aap-reconciliation-talks-fail-yadav-bhushan-accuse-kejriwal-forcing-quit-2175459.html|archive-date=29 April 2015}}{{cite web|title=Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav out of key AAP panel|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aap-removes-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-from-pac/|access-date=21 April 2015|work=The Indian Express|date=5 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143402/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aap-removes-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-from-pac/|archive-date=27 April 2015}}{{cite web|title=Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan accuse Arvind Kejriwal of getting goons to the National Council meeting|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-aap-national-council/1/426262.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=India Today|date=29 March 2015 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502103414/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-aap-national-council/1/426262.html|archive-date=2 May 2015}} Party leaders refuted accusations made by Yadav and Bhushan at the meeting that the party was murdering democracy and resorting to intimidation.{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-aap-national-council/1/426262.html | title=Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan accuse Arvind Kejriwal of getting goons to the National Council meeting | work=India Today | date=29 March 2015 | access-date=21 April 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502103414/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-yogendra-yadav-prashant-bhushan-aap-national-council/1/426262.html | archive-date=2 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|title=Yadav, Bhushan shown the door|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aap-national-council-meeting-gets-underway/article7042977.ece|access-date=21 April 2015|work=The Hindu|date=28 March 2015|last1=Anand|first1=Jatin|last2=Sriram|first2=Jayant|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211011310/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aap-national-council-meeting-gets-underway/article7042977.ece|url-status=live}} In April 2015, Yadav, Bhushan, Anand Kumar, and Ajit Jha were removed from the party.{{cite web|title=Dragged and thrown out of my own house, says an upset Yogendra Yadav after AAP expels him|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dragged-and-thrown-out-of-my-own-house-says-an-upset-yogendra-yadav-after-aap-expels-him/541064-37-64.html|access-date=21 April 2015|publisher=IBN Live|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423222903/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dragged-and-thrown-out-of-my-own-house-says-an-upset-yogendra-yadav-after-aap-expels-him/541064-37-64.html|archive-date=23 April 2015}}

For the first time, the AAP contested the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election and 2017 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. In Goa the AAP could not win any seat, and 38 out of 39 candidates failed to save their security deposits.{{citation |title=AAP debacle in Goa more stunning than it looks |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Ct69xkEPNWaFn384XSsUhL/AAP-debacle-in-Goa-more-stunning-than-it-looks.html |work=Live Mint |date=14 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314113942/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Ct69xkEPNWaFn384XSsUhL/AAP-debacle-in-Goa-more-stunning-than-it-looks.html |archive-date=14 March 2017 }}

For the 2017 Punjab Legislative Assembly election, the Lok Insaaf Party allied with the AAP. This alliance was called the AAP Alliance and was represented on news channels as AAP+. It won 22 seats in total, two of which were won by the Lok Insaaf Party and the other twenty by the AAP.{{citation |title=High on hype, how AAP got it wrong |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/punjab/high-on-hype-how-aap-got-it-wrong/376185.html |work=The Tribune |date=12 March 2017 |access-date=14 March 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813180630/https://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/punjab/high-on-hype-how-aap-got-it-wrong/376185.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2019 Indian general election}}

Unlike the 2014 Indian general election, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party decided to contest elections on limited seats of some of the states and all the seats in Delhi, Goa,{{Cite news|url=https://www.india.com/lok-sabha-elections-2019-india/aam-aadmi-party-is-not-b-team-of-ruling-bjp-in-goa-elvis-gomes-3629452/|title=Aam Aadmi Party is Not 'B Team' of Ruling BJP in Goa: Elvis Gomes|date=13 April 2019|website=India.com|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425001921/https://www.india.com/lok-sabha-elections-2019-india/aam-aadmi-party-is-not-b-team-of-ruling-bjp-in-goa-elvis-gomes-3629452/|url-status=live}} and Punjab.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/aap-to-contest-all-13-seats-in-punjab/articleshow/68569750.cms|title=AAP News: Lok Sabha elections: AAP to contest all 13 seats in Punjab|date=26 March 2019|first=Alok KN|last=Mishra|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507045805/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/aap-to-contest-all-13-seats-in-punjab/articleshow/68569750.cms|url-status=live}} In the state of Haryana, the AAP formed an alliance with Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janata Party to contest three Lok Sabha constituencies.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/delhi/news/aap-jjp-make-haryana-alliance-official-latter-names-4-candidates/articleshow/68946694.cms|title=AAP and JJP make Haryana alliance official, latter names four candidates|date=19 April 2019|first=AlokKN|last=Mishra|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510063245/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/delhi/news/aap-jjp-make-haryana-alliance-official-latter-names-4-candidates/articleshow/68946694.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha-2019/aap-announces-three-candidates-for-lok-sabha-elections-in-haryana/article26903637.ece|title=AAP announces three candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana|last=Kumar|first=Ashok|date=21 April 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 April 2019|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421095039/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha-2019/aap-announces-three-candidates-for-lok-sabha-elections-in-haryana/article26903637.ece|url-status=live}} The PAC also decided to support and campaign for CPI (M) in Kerala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/elections/aap-gives-unconditional-support-to-ldf-in-kerala|title=Elections 2019: AAP Gives Unconditional Support To LDF In Kerala|website=BloombergQuint|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425001924/https://www.bloombergquint.com/elections/aap-gives-unconditional-support-to-ldf-in-kerala|url-status=live}} The party also fielded its first transgender candidate from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/aap-fields-its-first-transgender-candidate-from-allahabad/articleshow/68631419.cms|title=Bhawani Nath Balmiki: AAP's first transgender candidate from Allahabad|date=29 March 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509033509/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/aap-fields-its-first-transgender-candidate-from-allahabad/articleshow/68631419.cms|url-status=live}} The AAP won only 1 constituency of Sangrur.

File:Manish Sisodia 2020 (1).jpg after securing a win in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2020]]

{{Pie chart|caption=Vote Share of major political parties in Delhi Assembly Election 2020|color1={{party color|Aam Aadmi Party}}|label1=AAP|value1=53.57|color2=orange|label2=BJP|value2=38.51|color3=aqua|label3=INC|value3=4.26|color4=black|label4=NOTA|value4=0.46|color5=Grey|label5=Others|value5=3.2}}

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections took place on 8 February 2020, following vehement campaigns run by the major political parties contesting the election.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-06|title=Delhi Election 2020: Voting on February 8, counting on 11th|url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/delhi-election-2020-live-updates-election-commission-to-announce-poll-schedule-dates-11578304330157.html|access-date=2020-09-03|website=Livemint|language=en|archive-date=7 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107093625/https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/delhi-election-2020-live-updates-election-commission-to-announce-poll-schedule-dates-11578304330157.html|url-status=live}} The counting of votes and subsequent announcement of results happened on 11 February.

The Aam Aadmi Party retained the government as the party won 62 out of 70 seats.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/delhi-assembly/delhi-assembly-election-results-2020/article30787472.ece|title=Delhi Assembly election results 2020|date=11 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 February 2020|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211130832/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/delhi-assembly/delhi-assembly-election-results-2020/article30787472.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-02-12|title=Arvind Kejriwal's party wins more seats in close contests than it did in 2015|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/delhi-assembly-election-results-2020-arvind-kejriwal-s-party-wins-more-seats-in-close-contests-than-it-did-in-2015/story-gD4UPH6ycKlVNzKfJivZ1H.html|access-date=2020-09-03|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918052747/https://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/delhi-assembly-election-results-2020-arvind-kejriwal-s-party-wins-more-seats-in-close-contests-than-it-did-in-2015/story-gD4UPH6ycKlVNzKfJivZ1H.html|url-status=live}} Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi for the third consecutive time. The party's vote share was 53.5%, according to the results.{{Cite news|title=AAP scores landslide victory in Delhi polls, BJP improves marginally, Congress fails to score again|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/aap-scores-landslide-victory-in-delhi-polls-bjp-improves-marginally-congress-fails-to-score-again/articleshow/74089434.cms|access-date=2020-09-03|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814154148/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/aap-scores-landslide-victory-in-delhi-polls-bjp-improves-marginally-congress-fails-to-score-again/articleshow/74089434.cms|url-status=dead}}

The AAP contested in 2021 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election for the first time, won 14 seats and became the single largest party in the council of total 35 elected seats.{{cite news |title=AAP Wins Most Seats In Chandigarh Polls On Debut, BJP Mayor Among Losers |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chandigarh-civic-polls-aaps-big-debut-in-chandigarh-civic-polls-as-punjab-preps-for-elections-2673407 |access-date=27 December 2021 |work=NDTV.com |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227061922/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chandigarh-civic-polls-aaps-big-debut-in-chandigarh-civic-polls-as-punjab-preps-for-elections-2673407 |url-status=live }} Sitting mayor Ravi Kant Sharma from BJP lost his seat to AAP candidate Damanpreet Singh.{{cite news |title=AAP emerges as leading party as Chandigarh MC poll throws up hung house; BJP's sitting mayor loses |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/counting-of-votes-under-way-for-chandigarh-municipal-corporation-polls-355069 |work=Tribuneindia |agency=Tribune News Service |date=28 December 2021 |language=en |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228101014/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/counting-of-votes-under-way-for-chandigarh-municipal-corporation-polls-355069 |url-status=live }} In ward number 21, former mayor and BJP candidate Davesh Moudgil was defeated by AAP's Jasbir.{{cite news |title=Chandigarh Municipal Polls: AAP Emerges Leading Party; Party's Damanpreet Singh Defeats BJP Mayor |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-chandigarh-municipal-polls-aap-emerges-leading-party-partys-damanpreet-singh-defeats-bjp-mayor/406949 |work=outlookindia.com |date=27 December 2021 |language=en |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228221502/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-chandigarh-municipal-polls-aap-emerges-leading-party-partys-damanpreet-singh-defeats-bjp-mayor/406949/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2021, Arvind Kejriwal announced that AAP would be contesting six state elections in 2022. The six states were Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.{{cite news |title=AAP to contest polls in 6 states, including Himachal Pradesh, UP, Gujarat |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aap-to-contest-polls-in-6-states-including-himachal-pradesh-up-gujarat-101611814372385.html |access-date=30 December 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=30 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230050702/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aap-to-contest-polls-in-6-states-including-himachal-pradesh-up-gujarat-101611814372385.html |url-status=live }} The party won a landslide victory in Punjab, defeating the incumbent Congress government of Charanjit Singh Channi, and state party convener Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the new CM. The party also gained two seats in Goa and five seats in Gujarat.

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Vote share by party in 2025 Delhi Legislative assembly election

| other =

| label1 = National Democratic Alliance

| value1 = 47.15

| color1 = {{Party color|National Democratic Alliance}}

| label2 = Aam Aadmi Party

| value2 = 43.57

| color2 = {{party color|Aam Aadmi Party}}

| label3 = Indian National Congress

| value3 = 6.34

| color3 = {{party color|Indian National Congress}}

| label4 = Others

| value4 = 2.37

| color4 = {{party color|Others}}

| label5 = NOTA

| value5 = 0.57

| color5 = black

}}

The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party, which was in power for the previous ten years, lost the election, with several prominent leaders and cabinet ministers including national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Kumar Jain, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Rakhi Birla, and Durgesh Pathak losing their seats. AAP managed to win only 22 seats, which was the party's worst performance in Delhi to date. It's vote share plummeted to 43.57%. The BJP formed the government with 48 seats.

{{main|List of Rajya Sabha members from the Aam Aadmi Party}}

• An Insignificant Man is a 2017 Hindi/English Indian socio-political documentary co-produced and directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla and also co-produced by filmmaker Anand Gandhi.{{cite news|title='Ship of Theseus' team's next is 'Proposition for a Revolution'|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ship-of-theseus-team-s-next-is-proposition-for-a-revolution-114033100286_1.html|access-date=2 July 2014|work=Business Standard|date=31 March 2014|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110134312/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ship-of-theseus-team-s-next-is-proposition-for-a-revolution-114033100286_1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=After Ship of Theseus, Recyclewala Labs to make Proposition for a Revolution|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/after-ship-of-theseus-recyclewala-labs-to-make-proposition-for-a-revolution-1458995.html|access-date=2 July 2014|work=First Post|date=31 March 2014|author1-link=Indo-Asian News Service|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026233748/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/after-ship-of-theseus-recyclewala-labs-to-make-proposition-for-a-revolution-1458995.html|url-status=live}} The documentary is about the rise of anti-corruption protests in India and the formation and rise to power of the Aam Aadmi Party.{{cite news|last1=Bhattacharya|first1=Budhaditya|title=Talking about a revolution|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/talking-about-a-revolution/article5931052.ece|access-date=2 July 2014|work=The Hindu|date=20 April 2014|archive-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701214352/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/talking-about-a-revolution/article5931052.ece|url-status=live}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal|last=Shukla|first=SP|date=2013-02-16|title=Myopia, Distortions and Blind Spots in the Vision Document of AAP|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2013/07/commentary/myopia-distortions-and-blind-spots-vision-document-aap.html|volume=48|issue=7|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|access-date=2021-03-29|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421070701/https://www.epw.in/journal/2013/07/commentary/myopia-distortions-and-blind-spots-vision-document-aap.html|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

• AAP Delhi
• AAP Punjab
• Swaraj (book)
• List of political parties in India

{{notelist}} {{Reflist|group=N}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Prashant |year=2014 |title=Political Parties and Citizen Movements in Asia and Europe |url=https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/political-parties-and-citizen-movements-in-asia-and-europe.pdf |chapter=From India Against Corruption to the Aam Admi Party: Social Movements, Political Parties and Citizen Engagement in India |isbn=978-9187729713 |publisher=Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), Hanns Seidel Foundation, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) |pages=38–59 |access-date=2021-03-29 |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328063215/https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/political-parties-and-citizen-movements-in-asia-and-europe.pdf |url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://aamaadmiparty.org/}}
• [https://www.elections.in/political-parties-in-india/aam-aadmi-party.html Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)] at Elections.in

{{Indian political parties}}

Category:Aam Aadmi Party

Category:2012 establishments in India

Category:Centrist parties in India

Category:Nationalist parties in India

Category:National political parties in India

Category:Political parties established in 2012

Category:Populist parties

Category:Socialist parties in India

Category:Member parties of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance