AAP Goes Solo for Delhi Elections, Snubs INDIA Bloc
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that his party will contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections independently, signaling a major blow to the opposition INDIA bloc.
In a press conference, Kejriwal clarified, “AAP will have no alliance for assembly polls in Delhi.” The statement comes amid rising political activity in the capital ahead of elections expected early next year. This decision also highlights the growing rift within the INDIA coalition, a 26-party alliance formed to challenge the BJP’s dominance.
The announcement is set to alter the electoral landscape in Delhi, where AAP currently holds a commanding majority in the 70-member assembly, with 62 seats. The elections will pit AAP’s governance record against the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the capital.
The INDIA bloc had aimed to consolidate anti-BJP votes across states, but AAP’s decision to go solo underscores ongoing tensions within the alliance. Notably, AAP and Congress, both bloc members, had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi earlier this year, with the BJP sweeping all seven seats.
This is not the first time AAP has distanced itself from alliance politics. In Punjab, Kejriwal ruled out a partnership with Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and a similar stance was taken in Haryana’s assembly polls.
Meanwhile, AAP has already released its first list of 11 candidates for the Delhi polls, featuring six leaders who recently defected from the BJP and Congress, signaling the party’s readiness for a tough electoral battle.
