AAP cites own survey to claim popularity in Delhi

An Aam Aadmi Party memebr says party had gained five percentage points, since last survey in August

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said it was the clear favourite to form the next government in Delhi, citing an in-house survey that projected 33 seats for the party in the 70-member Assembly.

“AAP now has a vote share of 32 per cent, followed by Congress with 28 per cent and BJP with 24 per cent vote share,” said Yogendra Yadav, psephologist and AAP member. Yadav said the party had gained five percentage points since the last survey in August.

Independent opinion surveys have also noted AAP’s gaining popularity; they have, however, kept AAP’s tally behind the Congress and BJP.

The survey said Kejriwal was the preferred choice for chief minister, with 36 per cent voters favouring him. Kejriwal was followed by the current Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, with 30 per cent of voters supporting her, while BJP’s Vijay Goel had the support of 21 per cent voters. Yadav said the survey revealed AAP was more popular among the youth and new migrants from Bihar.

It was gaining popularity among the upper castes, OBCs, Dalits and Muslim — who have traditionally supported Congress.

“Our presence is the least among older people and women, and migrants from Punjab and Pakistan who came during the partition,” Yadav said.