"Should Disband": Discord In INDIA Bloc As Members Isolate Congress Party In Delhi
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday declared her party’s support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the national capital is all set to witness an intense three-way battle, snubbing the Congress party.
A leading member of the INDIA bloc, the Congress has been apparently isolated by some of its allies by declaring their support to AAP when the grand old party is eyeing to capture power in Delhi during the upcoming assembly elections. The Trinamool Congress has been a staunch critic of the Congress, which had earlier called the bloc’s leadership, especially Rahul Gandhi, unfit for the role.
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Following TMC, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday extended its support to the AAP in the national capital. A day later, another INDIA bloc member, Shiv Sena UBT, also extended support to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, making the Congress party’s isolation more vivid. There were also reports that the AAP chief is holding talks with leaders like Uddhav Thackeray to be part of its election campaign in Delhi.
The Shiv Sena publication, Saamana, had on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack against Kejriwal’s Sheesh Mahal, alleging extravagance and corruption. The publication also criticized Eknath Shinde, noting that he had three government bungalows; even after stepping down from the post, he continues to hold possession of two bungalows.
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On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the INDIA alliance “should be disbanded” if the purpose was limited to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He also wondered about the future of the bloc. “It is unfortunate that no meeting of the INDIA bloc has taken place. Who will lead? What will be the agenda? How will the alliance move forward? There is no discussion on these issues. There is no clarity on whether we will remain united or not,” the chief minister said.
However, the BJP has responded to the support the AAP has been receiving from the INDIA bloc members, calling it meaningless. Claiming that all the parties other than AAP are non-existent in Delhi, the saffron party stated that they do not have a vote bank. “Arvind Kejriwal can see he is losing, and that is why he is taking support from these parties,” BJP candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma, said. Congress candidate Alka Lamba took a jibe at the AAP for its suddenly felt need to bring other party leaders to campaign in Delhi.
