Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav announced on Wednesday that his party has decided to back the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, citing AAP’s stronger position compared to Congress in the region.
In an interview with ANI, Yadav emphasized the importance of supporting the strongest regional contender against the BJP. “The regional party fighting against the BJP should be supported by leaders of the INDIA alliance. In Delhi, AAP is stronger, and we have decided to stand with them. The goal is to defeat the BJP, and both AAP and Congress share this objective,” he said.
Yadav reassured that the INDIA alliance, an opposition coalition, remains united despite differing strategies in certain states. “The INDIA alliance is intact. When it was formed, we agreed that the strongest regional party in each state would be supported by the alliance,” he clarified.
However, the alliance’s cohesion has come under scrutiny, with Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja admitting to divisions within the bloc post-Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Speaking to ANI, Raja acknowledged, “It is a fact that the Opposition is divided. In Delhi, AAP and Congress are contesting separately. Left parties are fighting where they are strong, and some parties have declared support for AAP. This division within the INDIA bloc is evident.”
The BJP has also capitalized on the apparent discord, with leaders labeling the INDIA alliance as “scattered” and “without a mission.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the bloc, pointing to the lack of collaboration in the Delhi assembly and Mumbai municipal polls. “The INDIA alliance has completely disintegrated. Just as you gave us a grand victory in Maharashtra, the BJP government will form again,” Shah said.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with votes to be counted on February 8. The AAP, which currently rules Delhi, has already declared candidates for all 70 assembly seats. The BJP has announced candidates for 59 seats, while Congress is yet to finalize its list.
Key election deadlines include January 17 for filing nominations, January 18 for scrutiny, and January 20 as the last date for withdrawal.
In the last two assembly elections, Congress faced severe setbacks, failing to secure a single seat. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2020 polls, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP managed to secure only eight.
The upcoming election is expected to be a critical test for the INDIA alliance, AAP, Congress, and BJP as they vie for influence in the nation’s capital.
