Aam Aadmi Party

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is an Indian political party that emerged from the anti-corruption movement of 2011. It is known for its governance-focused politics, welfare schemes, and public service model, and it currently governs Punjab.

Introduction and Quick Facts

Genesis: The Anti-Corruption Movement

The party originated from the “India Against Corruption” (IAC) movement of 2011, which demanded a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to fight corruption.

• Anna Hazare’s Role: Social activist Anna Hazare led the civil society movement and supported non-political pressure tactics.
• The Split: A section of the movement wanted to enter electoral politics to reform the system from within. This group, led by Arvind Kejriwal, separated from Hazare.
• Official Launch: AAP was formally launched on 26 November 2012 in Delhi. The date coincided with the anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949.

National Party Recognition and ECI Criteria

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognized AAP as a national party on 10 April 2023 after its performance in assembly elections across multiple states.

ECI Criteria for National Party Status

Under Paragraph 6B of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a political party gets national status if it meets any one of the following conditions:

• State Party Status: The party is recognized as a State Party in at least four states.
• Lok Sabha Performance: It wins at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats from at least three different states.
• Vote Share and Seats: It secures at least 6% of the total valid votes in four or more states in a Lok Sabha or State Assembly election, and additionally wins at least four Lok Sabha seats.

How AAP Met the Criteria

AAP secured State Party status in four states, fulfilling the first condition.

• Delhi: The party gained State Party status after winning the 2013 Assembly elections.
• Punjab: It earned the status following its strong performance in the 2017 Assembly polls.
• Goa: The party secured over 6.7% vote share and won two Assembly seats in the 2022 elections.
• Gujarat: It won five Assembly seats and secured a 12.9% vote share in December 2022.

Criteria for Recognition as a State Party

To be recognized as a State Party, a political party must fulfill any one of the following criteria in a State Assembly or Lok Sabha election:

• 6% Votes and 2 Assembly Seats: Secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in the state in a general election to the Legislative Assembly, and win at least two seats in that Assembly.
• 6% Votes and 1 Lok Sabha Seat: Secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in the state in a general election to the Lok Sabha, and win at least one Lok Sabha seat from that state.
• 3% Assembly Seats: Win at least 3% of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.
• 1 in 25 Lok Sabha Seats: Win at least one Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to that state.
• 8% Vote Share: Secure at least 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state in a general election to the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assembly.

Electoral Performance and Administrations

AAP has contested several state and national elections since its inception. It has recorded major victories as well as setbacks.

Delhi Assembly Elections

• 2013 Election: AAP contested Delhi elections for the first time. It won 28 out of 70 seats and formed a short-lived 49-day coalition government with the Indian National Congress.
• 2015 Election: The party secured a landslide victory by winning 67 out of 70 seats.
• 2020 Election: It retained power by winning 62 out of 70 seats.
• 2025 Election: The party faced a major setback in the February 2025 Assembly elections. It won 22 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 seats to form the government.

Punjab Assembly Elections

• 2017 Election: The party entered Punjab politics and won 20 out of 117 seats, becoming the principal opposition party.
• 2022 Election: AAP won a landslide victory in Punjab, securing 92 out of 117 seats. Bhagwant Mann took oath as the Chief Minister.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Presence

• The party has sent representatives to both Houses of Parliament.
• It has several Rajya Sabha members representing Delhi and Punjab.
• In April 2026, the party witnessed political shifts when a group of its Rajya Sabha members, led by Raghav Chadha, quit the party.

The Governance Model of AAP

The party advocates a welfare-centric administrative model, often referred to as the “Delhi Model of Governance.”

Core Pillars of Governance

• Primary Healthcare: The government introduced “Mohalla Clinics” (neighbourhood clinics). These centres provide free consultations, basic medical tests, and medicines to citizens.
• Education Reforms: The administration modernized government school infrastructure, trained teachers internationally, and introduced specialized curricula such as the “Happiness Curriculum.”
• Subsidies on Utilities: The party implemented policies to provide free electricity up to 200 units per month and free water up to 20,000 litres per household.
• Public Service Delivery: In 2018, the party introduced doorstep delivery of essential public services, reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices.
• Women’s Safety and Mobility: The government made public bus travel free for women to encourage mobility and independence.

Party Organization and Associated Wings

The party functions through a structured organizational hierarchy and maintains several active wings to mobilize different sections of society.

Organizational Structure

• Political Affairs Committee (PAC): The highest decision-making body of the party. It decides key policy matters and political strategies.
• National Executive: This body handles the administrative and organizational affairs of the party.
• National Convener: The head of the party, a post held by Arvind Kejriwal.

Frontal Organizations

• Student Wing: Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS).
• Youth Wing: AAP Youth Wing (AYW).
• Women’s Wing: AAP Mahila Shakti (AMS).
• Labor Wing: Shramik Vikas Sangathan (SVS).

Benefits of National Party Status

A political party recognized as a national party enjoys certain privileges under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, and other electoral guidelines.

• Exclusive Symbol Allotment: The party receives an exclusive symbol. The broom symbol is reserved for AAP candidates across the country.
• Free Airtime: National parties get dedicated and free airtime on state-run television (Doordarshan) and radio (All India Radio) during general elections.
• Star Campaigners: A national party can field up to 40 star campaigners during elections. Their travel and campaign expenses are not added to the election expenses of individual candidates.
• Office Space: The party is eligible to receive land or a building from the government in the national capital to establish its party headquarters.
• Electoral Rolls: National parties receive two free copies of the electoral rolls during the preparation of rolls. They also get one free copy of the electoral roll for each constituency during general elections.
• Proposer Requirement: Candidates of a national party need only one proposer to file nomination papers for elections. Registered unrecognized parties need ten proposers.

Current National Parties in India

As per the Election Commission of India, there are currently six recognized national parties in the country:

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
• Indian National Congress (INC)
• Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)
• Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
• National People’s Party (NPP)
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its rapid growth, the party has faced several governance and political challenges.

• Federal Friction: The administration in Delhi repeatedly clashed with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) over administrative jurisdiction, particularly regarding services and land.
• Corruption Allegations: Senior leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, faced investigations by central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the Delhi excise policy.
• Internal Dissension: Over the years, several founding members, including Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, parted ways with the party due to differences over internal democracy.

Rare Facts for Prelims

• Constitution Day Link: AAP was launched on 26 November, the same date now observed as Constitution Day in India.
• Symbol Significance: The broom symbol was chosen to reflect the idea of “cleaning” corruption from public life.
• First Major Electoral Breakthrough: AAP became a major political force in Delhi within just one year of its formation.
• Delhi Model: The term “Delhi Model of Governance” is often used to describe AAP’s focus on schools, clinics, and utility subsidies.
• National Status Route: AAP achieved national party status through State Party recognition in four states, not through Lok Sabha seat strength.
• Women’s Bus Travel: Free bus travel for women became one of the most widely cited welfare measures associated with AAP governance.