Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 7: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut voiced concerns over the ongoing conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, suggesting that it could ultimately benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He emphasized that the primary focus should be on battling the BJP, both in Delhi and nationally.
“During the Lok Sabha elections, Congress and AAP fought together, but the current situation in the Vidhan Sabha elections appears to be helping the BJP. Our fight should be against the BJP, both in Delhi and across the country,” Raut told.
He expressed disapproval of the infighting between the two INDIA bloc members, AAP and Congress, saying that it was not conducive to a unified front. Raut pointed out that the public was closely watching the ongoing discord, and such behavior could lead to questions about the alliance’s unity in future Lok Sabha elections.
“AAP and Congress, both members of the INDIA Alliance, are contesting the Delhi elections. While the dates are yet to be announced, they are already engaged in a battle, making allegations against each other. This is not right. The public is watching, and they will question us about this behavior when we go for the next Lok Sabha elections,” Raut stated.
Raut also criticized Congress for labeling former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal as “deshdrohi” (anti-national), a term typically used by BJP against Congress leaders. He argued that this kind of labeling was inappropriate, especially considering Kejriwal’s tenure as a democratically elected Chief Minister of Delhi.
“Kejriwal has served as Delhi’s Chief Minister for 10 years, elected by the people. Why label him as a ‘deshdrohi’? We oppose the BJP when they use such labels against Congress leaders, so it is equally wrong for Congress to use them against Kejriwal. While fighting elections against each other is understandable, there must be dignity and patience, as we may need to come together at some point,” Raut added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Alka Lamba remarked that there was growing anti-incumbency against both the central government and the AAP government in Delhi. She expressed confidence that voters would favor Congress, citing a decade of governance and the comparison with previous Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s tenure.
Lamba also took a dig at the BJP, accusing them of lacking an agenda and focusing solely on elections centered around Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections during a press conference today at 2:00 PM at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP won 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP secured only eight, and Congress failed to win any seats.