As early trends in the Delhi Assembly elections favoured the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and INDIA bloc leader Omar Abdullah took a sharp dig at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, pointing out their internal discord.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Abdullah posted a meme of a saint with the caption, 'Aur lado aapas mein!!!' (Keep fighting among yourselves!). This subtle yet impactful remark was directed at the ongoing friction between AAP and Congress, both key constituents of the INDIA bloc. The infighting between these opposition allies has been a topic of discussion throughout the election season, raising questions about their ability to present a united front against the BJP.
AAP vs Congress
The alliance between AAP and Congress has been strained, with both parties frequently at odds over seat-sharing and campaign strategies. In recent rallies, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi openly criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia for their alleged involvement in the controversial Delhi excise policy case. These public spats have further exposed the cracks in their political partnership.
As per the latest trends from the Election Commission, the BJP has surpassed the majority mark, securing a decisive lead in Delhi. The numbers indicate:
- BJP leading on 43 seats
- AAP ahead on 27 seats
- Majority mark required: 36 seats
AAP’s hopes for a third consecutive term appear to be dwindling, with key leaders struggling in their respective constituencies:
- Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) leads from New Delhi by 254 votes
- Saurabh Bharadwaj (AAP) trails BJP’s Shikha Roy in Greater Kailash by 459 votes
- Delhi Minister Atishi lags behind BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji by 1,149 votes
BJP’s Strategy
The BJP, having been out of power in Delhi for over two decades, has aggressively campaigned to reclaim the capital. The party’s strategy focused on highlighting governance issues, and corruption allegations against AAP, and leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity. Their ability to consolidate votes across diverse voter segments seems to have paid off.
Despite multiple exit polls predicting a BJP edge, AAP leaders remained optimistic about their prospects, citing past instances where exit polls underestimated their performance. However, the current numbers indicate a challenging road ahead for Kejriwal and his party.
With BJP poised for a significant victory, the future of AAP’s governance in Delhi appears uncertain. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc’s internal tensions may further complicate opposition unity in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections. Whether this result prompts a strategic rethink within the opposition or deepens the rift remains to be seen.
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