In a significant development ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will support his party in the upcoming polls. This adds to the growing list of major INDIA bloc allies, such as the Samajwadi Party, rallying behind AAP, further isolating the Congress in the national capital.
“TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you, Didi. You have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times,” Kejriwal posted on X, expressing gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Joins the Campaign Trail
The Shiv Sena (UBT) is also expected to campaign for AAP in the coming days. Sources revealed that Kejriwal is in direct communication with Uddhav Thackeray to strengthen the alliance ahead of the polls.
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In December, Samajwadi Party chief and Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav announced his support for AAP during a Mahila Adalat event organized by the party. The backing from these influential regional leaders underscores the growing consolidation of opposition forces, with AAP emerging as a focal point of the INDIA bloc in Delhi.
Congress Left in the Lurch
While AAP garners significant support, the Congress finds itself sidelined. Despite being part of the INDIA bloc for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress has been unable to secure backing from any allies for the Delhi polls. Adding to its woes, top Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge have been conspicuously absent from the campaign trail. Instead, the party has relied on second-tier leaders and MPs from other states, raising questions about its preparedness for the elections.
AAP Aims for a Hat-Trick
The ruling AAP, which dominated the 2015 and 2020 Delhi Assembly elections with landslide victories—securing 67 and 62 seats, respectively—has opted to contest these elections independently. The party is now aiming for a third consecutive win in the 70-member assembly.
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However, tensions between AAP and Congress have simmered within the INDIA bloc. AAP recently stated it might push for Congress’s removal from the alliance after the latter accused Kejriwal of misleading voters with promises of “non-existent” welfare schemes.
Key Dates and Stakes
Polling for the Delhi Assembly will take place on February 5, with votes set to be counted on February 8. As AAP leverages its alliances and Congress struggles to find its footing, the elections promise to be a litmus test for the INDIA bloc’s unity and strategy.
This Delhi Assembly election not only carries implications for the city’s governance but also serves as a precursor to the dynamics shaping the opposition ahead of the 2024 general elections.
