AAP To Kick Off Nationwide 'Padyatras' Today, Appeals To Citizens To Join 'Movement'

Aiming to expand its national footprint ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, AAP leader Gopal Rai said these marches would also celebrate the AAP's national party status.

AAP workers at an event celebrate the 'National Party' status of the party granted by Election Commission of India

Buoyed by its 'national party' status, the AAP will hold nationwide 'padyatras' (foot marches) on Wednesday and appealed to citizens to join the party. Aiming to expand its national footprint ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, AAP leader Gopal Rai said these marches would also celebrate the AAP's national party status, PTI reported.

"Our party achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the status of a national party in just 10 years since its inception. Party workers in all states and district offices across the country will hold celebrations on April 12. Padyatras have also been planned to spread the message of the party and appeal to citizens to join the movement by giving a missed call on the number 9871010101," he said. 

Rai said AAP wishes to take the message of "Make India Number 1" to the citizens.

READ | Election Commission Recognises AAP As National Party, Setback For NCP, CPI And TMC

AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta said the party's election symbol "broom" will be reserved for the party across the country. 

"Instead of 10, we can fill the form of any candidate with only one proposer. The party will get more time in the national media and will now be able to announce campaigns in batches of 40 in the elections. The party will also be officially given a place for its national office," PTI quoted Gupta as saying.

The development comes after the Election Commission on Monday granted national party status to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. 

Formed in November 2012, the Aam Aadmi Party has got national party status in just 10 years. AAP has governments in Delhi and Punjab.

Addressing party workers in Delhi on Tuesday, Kejriwal said AAP's newly-acquired status of national party in a short span of 10 years was "unbelievable, unimaginable and nothing short of magic".

However, the AAP supremo also warned party leaders and workers to be ready to even go to jail if need be, citing the arrest of former Delhi ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain over corruption charges.

"All the anti-national forces that want to stop the progress of the country are against the AAP, but the almighty is with us," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

In an apparent reference to the BJP-led Central government, Kejriwal said "these anti-national forces" want to stop the AAP from building schools and hospitals. "They have put innocent people like Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in jail," Kejriwal said.