Retired Colonel Ajay Kothiyal to be AAP's CM candidate in Uttarakhand: Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday announced its chief ministerial candidate for 2022 assembly elections in Uttarakhand.

PTI Photo

DEHRADUN: Retired colonel Ajay Kothiyal will be Aam Aadmi Party's chief ministerial candidate in Uttarakhand where assembly election is due early next year, announced AAP covener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday (August 17). "Ajay Kothiyal will be the AAP Chief Ministerial candidate of Uttarakhand. He has served the country by being in the Army," he said at a press conference in Uttarakhand's Dehradun.

Kejriwal, who is also the Chief Minister of Delhi, arrived in Dehradun today morning and held a press conference at the ITDR auditorium. He said that the party will develop the State as a 'spiritual capital' for Indians staying across the world. "With proper development, 10 times more pilgrims from across the world will visit the state," noted the party chief.

Kejriwal further emphasized that it will create job opportunities for the people of the state. "It will also provide employment to youth," he said. AAP has been gearing up for the upcoming Legislative Assembly polls in Uttarakhand. 

"People here want a break from politicians who have only looted the state. They now want an Armyman as CM who will not spend his tenure filling his coffers but serve them," the Delhi chief minister said. "If voted to power, the Aam Aadmi Party, under the leadership of Kothiyal, will make Uttarakhand the global spiritual capital for Hindus and generate employment opportunities for the state's youth," PTI quoted Kejriwal as saying.

Earlier in July, Kejriwal visited the state and guaranteed 300 units of free electricity to the people, with a special mention of farmers, while also offering to waive off old electricity bills if the party is voted to power in the state. "In terms of electricity, I guarantee four things. After our government is made, we will provide 300 units of free electricity. Farmers will receive free electricity. Old bills will be waived off. It will take some time to provide 24-hour electricity," he had said.

AAP chief had also assured that the party shall build good schools and work on electricity, water, farming apart from other issues in Uttarakhand.