Growing Rift Between AAP and Congress Threatens Opposition Unity Ahead of Delhi Elections

In a significant escalation of tensions within the opposition alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its intention to urge other parties in the INDIA bloc to expel the Congress party unless it takes action against its Delhi leader, Ajay Maken. This development comes as both parties gear up for the crucial Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 2024.

AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have accused Congress of collaborating with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine AAP’s position ahead of the elections. Singh specifically criticized Maken for calling AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal “anti-national,” asserting that such remarks align with a broader strategy benefiting the BJP. “Congress is doing everything to ensure that the BJP benefits in the election,” Singh stated, emphasizing that Maken’s comments were not only inappropriate but indicative of a deeper alliance between Congress and the BJP.

The backdrop to this conflict is the recent filing of a police complaint against Kejriwal by the Youth Congress, which accused him of misleading voters regarding welfare schemes. This action has further fueled AAP’s claims of Congress’s complicity with the BJP. Atishi pointed out that while Congress has never filed complaints against any BJP leaders, it has targeted AAP leaders instead. “It is clear that Congress leaders have reached some mutual understanding with the BJP to defeat AAP,” she asserted.

The stakes are high as both parties reflect on their past collaborations, particularly during the Lok Sabha elections when they campaigned together but failed to secure any seats in Delhi. Maken has since criticized this alliance as a strategic blunder for Congress, suggesting that it contributed to their decline in influence within the capital. “Had we not supported AAP in 2013, Delhiites wouldn’t have faced these hardships,” he remarked.

As tensions rise, AAP has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for Congress to act against Maken or face expulsion from the INDIA bloc. This ultimatum underscores a critical juncture for opposition unity in Delhi, where internal conflicts could significantly impact electoral outcomes. The upcoming elections are seen as a pivotal moment for both AAP and Congress, as they navigate their respective strategies amidst accusations of collusion and betrayal.

The importance of this political showdown cannot be understated. With rising concerns about governance and public services in Delhi, both parties must address voter sentiments effectively. The outcome of this conflict will not only shape their electoral prospects but also determine the future dynamics of opposition politics in India.

#DelhiElections #AAP #Congress #BJP #PoliticalUnity #INDIAAlliance #Election2024