Kejriwal shunning Congress has implications which goes beyond the dynamics of both the parties. It risks splintering the Opposition vote which is to BJP's benefit. The BJP gets an advantage in constituencies which are to witness a triangular contest. In so many words, such electoral battle will take place in constituencies where the Congress still has a foothold.
Rise of AAP has marked systematic dismantling of Congress's longstanding dominance. Post it's landslide victories in 2015 and 2020 elections, the AAP appears to be the first choice of Delhi's electorate. The AAP leadership believes that it's brand of governance will carry the day. It is its signal to stand on its own.
The AAP having nothing to do with Congress conveys a message to the other INDIA constituents who have recently voiced a demand for West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee heading the anti-BJP alliance. In the days to come, it is now upto the Congress to shore up its claim to the INDIA leadership.
The AAP having nothing to do with Congress is a snub too. It may be recalled that the Congress has refused seat sharing with AAP in Haryana. The Congress despite having a more extensive national support base than the AAP is facing an existential crisis in Delhi. After being reduced to irrelevance in the past decade it looked in vain for a lifeline from the AAP in the coming Delhi Assembly elections.
The decision of AAP not to accept Congress as a fellow traveller in Delhi Assembly poll is rooted in real political rationale. The Congress is unable to reclaim voter confidence in Delhi assembly constituencies, the padayatra by Rahul Gandhi notwithstanding.
But it is not a win-win situation for AAP in the coming election. There are problems galore, the AAP organization is not in good health. There are many desertions.. AAP leadership is perhaps exuding too much overconfidence ignoring BJP’s performance in the Lok Sabha polls.
Going it alone is certainly a step towards political self sufficiency for AAP. Even as it stands poised to challenge traditional political players, it's decision for a solo run focuses on the problem of managing egos and balancing ambitions among the INDIA coalition partners.
It is a high gamble for AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. A victory will shoot up his stocks in INDIA and the national Opposition while a defeat will plummet it. (IPA Service)
AAP SUPREMO ARVIND KEJRIWAL IS OPTING FOR A GAMBLE BY GOING SOLO IN DELHI ASSEMBLY POLLS
PARTY’S PERFORMANCE IN FEBRUARY ELECTIONS WILL DETERMINE HIS STANDING IN INDIA BLOC
Tirthankar Mitra - 2024-12-12 11:32
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has refused an alliance with Congress in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. It assumes significance on two counts. It marks a turning point in the political landscape of the national Capital. It underscores AAP's confidence in its political dominance. But it reveals a challenge to the unity in the Opposition against the BJP-led NDA dispensation. The BJP will always like to be faced with a fractured Opposition than a united one.