The Congress has sent conflicting signals regarding its participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Delhi in alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). On Wednesday, a high-level meeting, attended by prominent leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, discussed the Delhi polls scenario. After the meeting, Delhi Congress leader Alka Lamba claimed that the party’s top leadership had instructed them to be prepared to contest all seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the Capital.
“The meeting, which lasted for four hours and included 40 leaders expressing their opinions, focused on strengthening Congress in Delhi. We’ve been directed to gear up for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, contesting all seven seats. With seven months remaining, all party members have been tasked to prepare for this endeavour,” Lamba said in the presence of AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and AICC Delhi Incharge Deepak Babaria.
However, Congress soon distanced itself from Lamba’s statement, asserting that the meeting did not involve discussions about forming an alliance. Congress leader Anil Bhardwaj emphasised that Lamba was not authorized to speak on the matter, stating, “During today’s meeting of Delhi leaders with the party’s Central leadership, there was no dialogue regarding an alliance.”
Reports suggest Rahul maintained during the meeting that exploring an alliance with AAP would be considered later. In the interim, he urged party leaders to prepare for a solo campaign in the national Capital, according to party source
Delhi Congress President Anil Chaudhary and former Union Minister Ajay Maken, present at the meeting, talked about a potential alliance with the AAP, according to sources.
Kharge, speaking after the meeting, noted, “Considering the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, consultations were held with Delhi Congress leaders. The revitalization of Delhi Congress, involving the participation of all leaders and workers, remains our priority. Our efforts to improve the lives of Delhi’s people continue.”
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar responded to Congress, highlighting, “If Congress does not intend to forge an alliance in Delhi, then pursuing an INDIA alliance becomes irrelevant. It’s a waste of time.
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Cong to fight all 7 LS seats in Delhi? Ambiguity reigns
The party’s top leadership will decide whether to participate in the next alliance meeting with Opposition parties scheduled at the end of this month.”
In response to AAP’s comments and Alka Lamba’s statement, AICC Delhi in-charge Deepak Babaria criticized the AAP, stating, “It seems there are immature individuals in the Aam Aadmi Party. If they’re making significant decisions based on media reports, not even God can’t help them.”
In previous polls, the BJP secured victory in all seven seats in both 2014 and 2019, while the Congress performed poorly. The party’s performance in subsequent Assembly and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls remained lackluster.
In the latest Assembly elections following the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats with 54 per cent of the votes in the 2020 Assembly polls, while Congress received a mere 4.26 per cent. However, Congress improved its voting percentage to 11.68 in the 2022 municipal polls, compared to AAP’s 43 per cent. In the last general elections, Congress achieved a better voting percentage at 22 per cent, with AAP securing 18 percent.
Given Congress’ current challenges in Delhi, its tentative plan to proceed independently is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its bargaining position with AAP.
