The entry of Congress's charismatic campaigner, Rahul Gandhi, into the electoral battleground has swiftly transformed the dynamics of Delhi's political scene, unsettling the carefully laid strategies of the coalition. During a riveting rally in Seelampur, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took an unanticipated aggressive stance against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, stunning some Congress leaders who shared the stage with him.
Rahul Gandhi asserted, “Both Modi and Arvind Kejriwal are cut from the same cloth, making false promises to the citizens of this country.”
He drew parallels between Kejriwal and Modi on matters of corruption, governance, and silence on caste census, thus bringing a premature end to the ‘halfway-formed’ alliance with AAP in the Lok Sabha, a partnership that never fully blossomed. While their alliance started unnaturally, the aftermath could ripple through the larger opposition unity.
Now, the pressing question arises: will the Delhi Assembly election be disastrous for the alliance formed to challenge PM Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls? Could this mark the coalition's demise? Is the fracture of the INDIA bloc unavoidable, and are these elections merely an accelerant in this potential scheme?
Furious AAP Strikes Back
Following Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, the AAP was swift to retaliate, with Arvind Kejriwal leading the charge against the Congress leader. Taking to social media platform X, he remarked, “Rahul Gandhi launched a tirade against me at a rally today. He tries to save Congress while I strive to save India.”
The Delhi elections have catalyzed a war of words with AAP leaders criticizing Congress. There was a time when Sonia Gandhi made a solidarity visit to meet AAP MP Sanjay Singh, suspended from the Upper House and protesting at the Parliament gates. Yet, today the very AAP leaders are targeting Congress leadership.
Sanjay Singh declared, “Rahul Gandhi propagates lies. From Parliament to streets, we've addressed the Adani issue. Kejriwal needs no certification from him. Truth is, if Kejriwal speaks, BJP defends Gandhi… they're cut from the same cloth.”
Fissures in the INDIA Bloc?
The political tremors from Delhi resonate in Maharashtra, where fault lines in the MVA grow wider. Approaching local body elections pose a question for the parties: remain united or go their separate ways?
Amid Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing critique of RSS, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar lauded RSS's contribution to BJP's victory in Maharashtra Assembly polls, triggering speculations of NCP unity talks. His winter session meeting with PM Modi further fueled these reunification rumors.
Sharad Pawar remains wary amid the ongoing tug-of-war between AAP and Congress with Maharashtra’s civic polls on the horizon, emphasizing, “The INDIA bloc focused solely on national issues and elections, avoiding discussions on local or state elections.” Yet, he mentioned that MVA would soon convene to strategize for upcoming battles.
Meanwhile, other MVA allies express divergent views. Shiv Sena (UBT) has unequivocally chosen to support AAP over Congress in assembly elections, often attributing growing differences and confusion to Congress’s communication lapses. Sanjay Raut has warned, “Compromise is occasionally necessary. As allies in NDA, BJP ensured unity; within INDIA, Congress must maintain communication to sustain alliances.”
Challenges Escalate for Congress
Whether attacking RSS or EVM issues, coalition allies have voiced dissent against Congress. After winning Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference emerged among the first to publicly disagree with Congress on EVMs. Following government formation, Omar Abdullah’s administration collaborates with the center while the CM actively works alongside PM Narendra Modi.
In response to a query, his father Farooq Abdullah distinctly stated, 'We aren’t gearing up to battle Delhi. We must collaborate. Our focus is overcoming challenges in Kashmir, not fighting the center. We have no ties to BJP, but can't contest against the central government.'
The Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, previously campaigned for Arvind Kejriwal, perceiving that the INDIA bloc endures on a national stage.
