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New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has recently declared that his party will not form an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
This announcement comes despite the two parties having joined forces during the recent May-June 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, that alliance did little to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from winning all seven parliamentary seats in Delhi.
AAP, which has been in power in Delhi for three consecutive terms, continues to dominate the city’s political landscape, while Congress has failed to win a single assembly seat in the last two elections. Many believed that an alliance between AAP and Congress could revive the latter’s fortunes in the national capital.
Rising tensions between the AAP and the Congress
As the assembly election campaign gains momentum, both parties have categorically dismissed the possibility of any alliance. Kejriwal’s recent statement has put the matter to rest. Similarly, Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav has reaffirmed his party’s decision to contest all the 70 assembly seats independently, labelling the previous alliance during the Lok Sabha elections as a “mistake” that would not be repeated.
The AAP, on its part, has maintained that it is fully capable of taking on both BJP and Congress single-handedly. Party spokespersons have often reiterated that they do not need an alliance to challenge their rivals.
The BJP factor and corruption allegations
While AAP has retained power in Delhi, it has faced sustained allegations of corruption, with the BJP keeping the heat on Kejriwal’s government. From accusations surrounding the now-scrapped liquor policy to cases against top AAP leaders, including its Deputy CM and MLAs, corruption has become a significant issue in the state. BJP’s persistent campaigns on these issues have put the AAP government on the defensive, even forcing Kejriwal to step down as the fallout of these allegations.
On the other hand, Congress has largely remained absent from the streets, limiting its opposition to verbal criticism. This inactivity has further dented its ability to position itself as a strong alternative to AAP.
Why an AAP-Congress alliance is unlikely
The strained relationship between AAP and Congress dates back to AAP’s rise, which was fuelled by anti-corruption movements targeting Congress during its rule. Many Congress leaders remain resentful of this history. Moreover, as Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav pointed out, allying with AAP could tarnish Congress’s credibility, given the corruption charges against the Kejriwal-led government.
Senior journalist and political analyst Pritam Dhariwal highlights a key trend in Delhi’s voting behaviour. Voters have consistently chosen BJP in Lok Sabha elections while favouring AAP in the assembly polls. This dual preference has allowed AAP to strengthen its grip on Delhi while simultaneously eroding Congress’s base.
With no alliance on the cards, the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections will see a three-way contest among AAP, BJP, and Congress. While AAP remains the frontrunner, BJP’s aggressive campaigning and Congress’s attempts at revival could make the race more competitive. However, unless Congress can effectively mobilize support, it risks continuing its downward spiral in the capital’s political arena.
(Copy edited by Prashant Hamine)
