AAP looks at first poll partner in Maharashtra, decision next week

With Mumbai and Maharashtra high on the agenda of the Aam Aadmi Party, talk of a possible pre-poll tie-up with a local party have become stronger with news that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Parliamentarian Raju Shetti next week. Shetti is convenor of the Swabhimaani Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers’ organisation that has in recent times spearheaded protests on minimum support prices and demands for greater support for drought-hit farmers. [caption id=“attachment_1312729” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Arvind Kejriwal. Reuters[/caption] An Indian Express report says Shetti, addressing the media in Pune, said he would meet Kejriwal next week and discuss, among other things, the idea of a National Drought Commission, FDI in retail – likely to be a contentious subject with the two parties holding divergent views on it – and a 10-year-policy on export and import for agricultural produce. “We have heard that AAP is opposed to FDI in retail while we welcome it. Also, they have not made their stance about issues related to agriculturists very clear. I have not been able to talk to him (Kejriwal) after the Delhi elections, but we will have a meeting next week to take a final call,” Shetti is quoted as saying. Shetti is the lone Parliamentarian from the party. A New Indian Express report, however, said Shetti had been upset by adverse comments from the Mumbai AAP team regarding transparency in the SSS and could also consider continuing to contest elections alone. The AAP has earlier expressed its intention to contest all 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.