After several youth AAP leaders switched over to the BJP, including Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh and Sandeep Pathak, the state unit has started inducting sporting icons into the party fold ahead of the 2027 Assembly poll.
Three days ago, international kabaddi player Kinda Biharipuria “Cheetah” joined AAP along with six other players.
“We are roping in youth icons because we want to reach out to the young voters. The party is exploring to rebuild the second-rung leadership again. With the defections, the party leadership also realised that the sportspersons are better icons than businessmen. So, we are roping in sportspersons, who will also be aiding the government in its ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign,” said a senior functionary in AAP.
He added that AAP was calibrating its election strategy with regards to young and first-time voters.
Young voters constitute a significant segment of the electorate. According to data, nearly 21.44 per cent of Punjab’s voters fall in the 18- 29 year category.
AAP believes that connecting with youngsters through sporting icons can help strengthen the party’s grassroots presence and reinforce its message of youth empowerment. In recent weeks, AAP’s state unit has inducted celebrated catcher Pala Jalalpuria and world-renowned Punjab-style kabaddi player Sandeep Luddhar as well. Their entry into the party has been widely discussed in political and sporting circles alike. The induction ceremonies were attended by senior AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who described these players as role models. Party leaders have repeatedly highlighted the Punjab Government’s emphasis on sports infrastructure, employment opportunities and anti-drug initiatives are aimed at the younger generation.
Political analysts said inclusion of kabaddi players was significant in Punjab, where the sport enjoys immense popularity across rural and urban areas. Many kabaddi stars command large followings on social media and maintain strong connections with local communities in the Malwa, Doaba and Majha regions.
Further, the symbolism of these joinings cannot be missed as AAP leaders, led by national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, have been raising issues like the NEET paper leak, flaws in On Screen Marking of the CBSE Class XII exams and support to the Cockroach Janta Party, which has drawn a lot of traction from youth.
