AAP Moves Karnataka HC for National Party Status Ahead of Assembly Polls

Bengaluru: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to be recognized as a national party.

“We have filed a petition in Karnataka High Court regarding the same which will be heard today. We are confident of getting the status of a national party,” said AAP leader Brijesh Kalappa to India Today.

As per Section 6b of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) order, 1968, any political party that has over 6 per cent vote share in more than four states should be declared a national party,  he added.

After getting 14 per cent vote share in the Gujarat assembly elections, AAP became eligible for national party status in 2022. AAP’s status as a national party is still under review by the Election Commission.

In order to become a national party, a political outfit needs to have recognition as a state party in at least four states and have two members in the respective legislative assemblies.

AAP has registered a convincing victory in Punjab, and has won five seats in the Gujarat election as well as the win in the Delhi civic polls. So, it is demanding the coveted national party status.

On December 8, 2022, the AAP chief Aravind Kejriwal said, “Today, the AAP has become a national party. Results of the Gujarat election have come and the party has become a national party. 10 years ago AAP was a small party, now it has governments in two states and has become a national party.”