AAP gets National Party status

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has got the status of a national party. The Election Commission announced this on Monday evening. Also, the commission told that Trinamool Congress (TMC), CPI and Sharad Pawar’s NCP are no longer national parties. A few days ago, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court to get recognition as a national party. In this petition, it was said that due to the delay, their ability to contest the election is being hampered.

The petition, filed by AAP Karnataka convenor Prithvi Reddy, stated that the party fulfills all the criteria to become a national party, but the Election Commission (ECI) has refused to grant it that status.

Only last month the Election Commission had said that it will review the “national party” status of Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party. The commission will hear the NCP’s representation seeking a review of its decision. Sources said the NCP no longer meets the requirement of national party status. A political party is recognized as a “national party” if its candidates secure at least 6 percent of the votes in four or more states in the Lok Sabha or Assembly elections. Apart from this, they has to win at least four Lok Sabha seats.

Arvind Kejriwal tweeted after the Aam Aadmi Party got the status of a national party. He wrote in this tweet that ‘national party in such a short time? This is nothing less than a miracle. Many many congratulations to all. Crores of people of the country have brought us here. People expect a lot from us. Today people have given us this huge responsibility.’

What are the conditions to become a national party?

• If a party gets the status of a regional party in 4 states, then it can be given the status of a national party.
• If a party wins 3 percent of the Lok Sabha seats in 3 states, then it can get the status of a national party.
• Apart from 4 Lok Sabha seats, a party can also get this status if it gets 6 percent vote share in 4 states in Lok Sabha elections or assembly elections.

If a party fulfills even one of these three conditions, then it also gets the status of a national party.