AAP Issues Ultimatum to Congress Over Alleged BJP Collusion: Political Crisis Looms for INDIA Alliance
New Delhi : The ongoing political tension between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress has taken a dramatic turn, with the AAP issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to the Congress party, demanding action against senior leader Ajay Maken for allegedly targeting AAP and supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This escalating confrontation comes just ahead of Delhi’s highly anticipated assembly elections, with both parties in the INDIA alliance now at odds.
On Thursday, AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, launched a blistering attack on Congress, accusing the party of colluding with the BJP to undermine AAP’s efforts in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. The allegations are centered around Congress leaders like Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dixit, who are accused of actively criticizing AAP and supporting BJP interests, particularly in the lead-up to the polls.
Allegations of BJP-Congress Collaboration
The conflict erupted when Ajay Maken, a prominent Congress leader, publicly described Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as “anti-national.” This statement has fueled growing anger within AAP, with Sanjay Singh asserting that Maken’s comments are part of a broader scheme to weaken the AAP ahead of the Delhi elections. Singh pointed out that while Congress has historically refrained from filing FIRs against BJP leaders, it has filed multiple cases against AAP leaders, including Kejriwal.
According to Singh, the Congress is no longer working in the spirit of unity within the INDIA alliance but is instead following a script that benefits the BJP. He claimed that Congress’s candidates’ list in Delhi appeared to have been “finalized at the BJP office,” further deepening suspicions of an unspoken understanding between the two parties.
Atishi, echoing Singh’s sentiments, accused Congress of undermining AAP’s efforts and causing friction within the INDIA alliance. “Congress candidates like Sandeep Dixit and Farhad Suri are receiving support from the BJP,” she claimed, questioning Congress’s commitment to the alliance and its role in challenging the BJP. This sharp criticism has put Congress leaders on the defensive, with AAP demanding that action be taken against Maken and others within 24 hours or face expulsion from the INDIA alliance.
The 24-Hour Ultimatum: A Move that Could Shatter the INDIA Alliance
The ultimatum issued by AAP is not merely a political tactic; it signals a serious rift in the INDIA alliance, a coalition formed to challenge the BJP’s dominance in Indian politics. If Congress fails to address the allegations within the stipulated time frame, AAP has threatened to push for Congress’s expulsion from the alliance. “If Congress does not act, we will ask the other parties in the alliance to remove the Congress,” Sanjay Singh stated.
The move comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the Delhi assembly elections approaching. AAP’s political fortunes are closely tied to its ability to maintain unity within the opposition bloc. Any fracture in the INDIA alliance could benefit the BJP, which has long capitalized on the fragmented opposition.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana Controversy
The tensions between AAP and Congress were further exacerbated by another issue that has become a focal point in the Delhi elections. On Thursday, Congress leader Sandeep Dixit lodged a complaint with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor regarding AAP’s proposed scheme for a Rs 2,100 monthly allowance for women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana (Chief Minister’s Women’s Empowerment Scheme). Dixit’s complaint is based on claims that AAP’s scheme is misleading voters, especially since the Delhi government’s Women and Child Development Department has distanced itself from the initiative, stating that no such scheme currently exists.
Despite this, AAP has promised to increase the allowance for women from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100 if the party wins the upcoming elections. Atishi, in a rebuttal, accused Congress of undermining AAP’s initiatives and raising doubts about a scheme that could provide direct benefits to women in the city. She also raised concerns about Congress’s potential financial backing from the BJP in the upcoming elections, further intensifying accusations of collusion between the two parties.
A Looming Crisis for the Opposition Unity
The ongoing spat between AAP and Congress threatens to derail the opposition’s attempts to present a united front against the BJP. Both parties have made serious allegations that point to an unholy alliance with the BJP, and this political drama is likely to dominate the narrative in the weeks leading up to the Delhi elections.
For AAP, the stakes are high. As a party that has gained significant traction in Delhi, it is keen to maintain control of the city and its voter base, which is largely made up of urban middle-class and working-class voters. The possibility of losing support due to factionalism within the opposition could play into BJP’s hands, which remains a formidable force in the capital.
Conclusion: Will AAP and Congress Resolve Their Differences?
As the 24-hour deadline approaches, the political landscape in Delhi remains uncertain. The escalating tensions between AAP and Congress could either lead to a swift resolution or deepen the divide, potentially causing irreparable damage to the INDIA alliance. Voters, especially in Delhi, are closely watching these developments, as the outcome of this political showdown could shape the future of the opposition and its ability to challenge the BJP in the upcoming elections.
The clock is ticking for Congress to act, and the stakes for both parties in the INDIA alliance have never been higher. Only time will tell if the rift can be repaired, or if it will push the opposition to a breaking point.