AAP Can’t Be Staged in Delhi and Punjab; Cong-Cerns: INDIA Key; CWC in Hyderabad

On the first day of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad, Sonia Gandhi made a direct reference to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) group when she stated that it was crucial to compete as a united front in order to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024.

Gandhi is aware of the strength of a coalition. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was deposed in 2009 by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which at the time was seen to be unstoppable.

But back then, things were quite different.

The Congress was in charge; it had the capacity to make decisions and was insulated from the escalating aspirations of other parties. Regional parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) were content to cooperate with the Congress.

Aspirations have increased as the times have changed. The largest concern is the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) expanding influence. The central leadership went out to the AAP and supported it in spite of protests against the partnership with the AAP and support for it on the Delhi bill. Those opposed to such an alliance have resignedly come to terms with this choice. However, during the CWC meeting, this acceptance could not be verified.

AAP: THE PRIMARY CONCERN

The Congress believes it can defeat the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and its aim for the country, which is why Hyderabad was picked. However, despite the CWC’s statement of Congress ambition and its commitment to the INDIA alliance, dissenting voices could not be silenced.

According to sources, several politicians in Punjab and Delhi brought up the subject, claiming that one cannot trust the AAP. “If AAP can be trusted, why is it campaigning in states where there is a straight BJP vs. Congress fight,” said Ajay Maken, who has vehemently opposed any partnership with the AAP, and Punjab Congress assembly leader Pratap Bajwa. Does this not benefit the BJP?

This relates to Arvind Kejriwal’s recent political campaigns in Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh. The state leaders are leery of AAP since the party has hurt the Congress in both Delhi and Punjab.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, reportedly acknowledged their worries. But he also gave them the assurance that no decision will be made moving forward without first engaging the state unit. This is crucial because the Bhopal conference will decide how seats will be shared, and the Congress doesn’t want to give the AAP any room in these regions.

It will be difficult to match individual interests with ideas of unification.