Punjab elections may see contest between Yogendra Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal

The Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj Abhiyan may contest the Punjab Assembly elections next year, coming into direct conflict with Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), reports the Hindustan Times.

Yadav had been part of the AAP in Delhi, but had been sacked for anti-party activities soon after the AAP formed the government, and subsequently set up Swaraj Abhiyan, a political organisation that, however, is not a political party.

However, the fact that the Swaraj Abhiyan is supporting an independent candidate in a by-poll in Khadoor Sahib, Punjab, leads to speculations that Yadav's organisation and Kejriwal's party may contest each other in Punjab next year.

In the Khadoor Sahib by-poll scheduled for 13 February, the Swaraj Abhiyan is supporting independent candidate Bhai Baldeep Singh, who had earlier contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from the constituency on an AAP ticket, but lost.

Sources in Swaraj Abhiyan said the organisation may decide to form a political party if Bhai Baldeep Singh wins. "There is no doubt that we will form a political party. The by-poll will give an insight into Punjab's election mood. Further, if the people's mandate is clear, we may also contest the assembly elections next year," said a senior Swaraj Abhiyan leader.