Arvind Kejriwal will become prime minister; to replace Congress, says AAP’s Raghav Chadha

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab is headed for a spectacular sweep, taking its second state after Delhi, the party’s Raghav Chaddha said AAP has “now become a national party” and will replace the Congress as the country’s biggest Opposition party.

In an interview with NDTV, Raghav Chadha said, “AAP is going to be the national and natural replacement of the Congress.”

Also read: BJP keeps Uttar Pradesh, AAP makes history in Punjab

“It is a tremendous day for AAP as a party too, because today we have become a national party. We are no longer a regional party. May the almighty bless us and Arvind Kejriwal. May he lead the nation one day,” he said. 

The AAP leader pointed out that the BJP took “much more time” to win two states than AAP, which was founded in 2012.

Also read: AAP sweeps Punjab, giants across other parties bite the dust

AAP has crossed the half-way mark in Punjab in leads, leaving the ruling Congress far behind.

Heavyweights like the Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Akali Dal’s Parkash Singh Badal were trailing against AAP candidates in the wave of support for Arvind Kejriwal’s party

Counting of votes began on Thursday morning at 8 am where the AAP is leading in 89 seats, with the Congress leading in 13 seats. The Shiromani Akali Dal is lagging in the race. 

A party or coalition needs to win 59 seats in the 117-member assembly to get a majority.