The Delhi election battle, initially seen as a straight fight between Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP and the BJP, has turned into a three-way contest with Congress emerging as a potential spoiler. Yet, Kejriwal and BJP leaders continue to trade barbs amid shifting dynamics. A report by Pawan Kumar Bansal
In politics there are no permanent enemies or friends. This holds true of relations between Congress and AAP as during Haryana assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi had advocated alliance with AAP but in Delhi assembly elections, the two parties are fighting like cats and dogs.
It was believed that the Delhi battle would be between AAP and BJP, with Congress playing a minor role. However, with Congress’s aggressive campaigning, it is turning into a triangular contest. While BJP and AAP remain the main players and hot contenders to form the government, Congress is now seen as a potential spoilsport for AAP.
Political analyst Devinder Surjewala remarked that Congress would cut into AAP’s vote share, adding that while Congress candidates may or may not win, the votes they secure will significantly benefit the BJP. Relations between AAP and Congress, both members of INDIA bloc, have soured to the extent that Congress has filed a complaint against AAP over a ‘defamatory’ post on its X handle. The complaint alleges that AAP shared defamatory pictures of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi and AICC treasurer Ajay Maken.
Describing the post as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, it alleges that Arvind Kejriwal is portrayed in the post as the only honest man while senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, are depicted as dishonest. The election campaign has hit a new low, with AAP and BJP leaders engaging in cheap allegations and counter-allegations, accusing Kejriwal of making “hollow promises and false claims.” Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, even resorted to theatrics by immersing Kejriwal’s cut-out in the Yamuna.
Meanwhile, Delhi CM Atishi used Republic Day celebrations to highlight her government’s achievements including its commendable work in education and health, along with providing free electricity. Arvind Kejriwal is also trying to gain the sympathy of the electorate by drawing attention to threats to his life. Kejriwal also took a jab at the BJP for failing to project its CM’s face so far.
The election is a matter of prestige for both PM Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal. It will be a face-saving moment for Congress if it manages to win a few seats, as AAP may then depend on it to form the government. The BJP is deploying all weapons in its armoury to win the polls. Narendra Modi has already addressed public meetings, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is personally supervising and monitoring what is being called “Operation Delhi.”
Considering the presence of a large number of Haryana-origin people in Delhi, Haryana CM Naib Saini and former Haryana chief minister and current Union Minister Manohar Lal are also campaigning in the city. As the voting day approaches, both AAP and BJP are competing to make promises to all sections of society. Acknowledging that several areas in Delhi still face issues of sewage and contaminated drinking water, Arvind Kejriwal has promised that, if voted to power, his government will replace all old and malfunctioning sewer lines.
On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised an honorarium of Rs 20,000 per month to priests of all temples, creation of 20 lakh jobs in the private sector, the constitution of a gig workers’ welfare board, scholarships for their children for higher education, ownership rights of property to Pakistani refugees, regularisation of illegal colonies, and cleaning of the Yamuna within three years of coming to power. Accusing AAP of betraying people with false claims and promises during its decade-long rule, Amit Shah referred to Arvind Kejriwal as ‘Shriman Bhrashtachar,’ who had even earned the ire of his one-time mentor, Anna Hazare. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party’s president and former UP CM, has extended support to the AAP. It is believed that the outcome of the election will also impact national politics. AAP’s victory would elevate Arvind Kejriwal’s stature as a national leader who could take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while BJP’s victory in Delhi, following its victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, would add another feather to Modi’s cap.
