The political landscape in Delhi heated up further as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused Congress of “speaking the BJP language,” prompting a sharp retort from BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi. He dismissed AAP’s allegations as a desperate attempt to stay relevant, describing their statements as an “admission of defeat” in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
BJP’s Take
Trivedi compared the situation to the Haryana Assembly elections, asserting that AAP’s grievances with Congress mirror Congress’s approach to AAP in Haryana. He claimed that both parties, despite being part of the INDIA alliance during the Lok Sabha elections, harbor deep animosity towards each other.
“To remain in the news, AAP keeps giving strange statements. Their statement is an admission of their defeat in the Delhi elections. The public of Delhi remembers how just six months ago, Congress and AAP fought elections together as part of the INDI alliance. Now, their mutual hatred is out in the open,” Trivedi said. He expressed confidence that Delhi voters would choose BJP over either party in the 2025 Assembly elections.
AAP’s Allegations Against Congress
The Aam Aadmi Party launched a fresh attack on Congress, accusing it of conspiring with the BJP in Delhi.
- Sanjay Singh’s Ultimatum: AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused senior Congress leader Ajay Maken of reading from the BJP’s script by calling Arvind Kejriwal “anti-national.” Singh demanded Congress take action against Maken within 24 hours or face AAP’s call to expel Congress from the INDIA bloc.
- Atishi’s Accusations: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi alleged that BJP was funding Congress candidates, including Sandeep Dikshit, who is contesting against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. She criticized Congress for filing an FIR against her and Kejriwal, while sparing BJP leaders.
Atishi questioned Congress’s intent:
“Congress yesterday filed an FIR against me and Arvind Kejriwal. Has Congress filed any FIR against any BJP leader ever? We have credible sources indicating that BJP is funding Congress candidates like Sandeep Dikshit. If Congress truly opposes BJP, it must take action against Ajay Maken within 24 hours.”
Context and Implications
The escalating tension between AAP and Congress comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, likely to be held in February 2025. Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years before AAP’s rise to power, has struggled to make a comeback, winning no seats in the last two Assembly polls.
AAP’s sweeping victory in 2020, securing 62 out of 70 seats, left BJP with just eight seats and Congress with none. With allegations flying and alliances strained, the upcoming election promises to be a high-stakes battle.