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The Congress party, already reeling from a disheartening defeat in the Haryana assembly elections, finds itself facing further challenges from its allies within the INDIA bloc. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), both key members of the opposition coalition, have signaled a reluctance to form alliances for upcoming by-elections and assembly elections in their respective states. This development adds insult to injury for the Congress, highlighting potential cracks within the INDIA bloc and raising questions about its effectiveness in challenging the ruling BJP.
On Wednesday, the SP, led by Akhilesh Yadav, announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, despite the election dates not being officially confirmed. Notably, this announcement comes amidst reports of ongoing disagreements between the Congress and the SP over seat-sharing arrangements for the bypolls, which are expected to take place later this year. The Congress is reportedly seeking five seats, while the SP, emboldened by its recent success in the Lok Sabha elections, is only willing to offer 2-3 seats. This deadlock highlights the internal tensions within the INDIA bloc and raises concerns about its ability to present a united front against the BJP.
Adding to the Congress's woes, the AAP has declared that it will not forge an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar cited the Congress's “overconfidence” and its perceived failure to engage with allies in Haryana as reasons for their decision to contest independently. She accused the Congress of hindering efforts to build an alliance in Haryana, arguing that their lack of collaboration contributed to their defeat. This stance further underscores the growing rift between the Congress and the AAP, raising doubts about their willingness to work together in future electoral contests.
The Congress's failure to form an alliance with the AAP in Haryana has been widely cited by experts as a key factor in the BJP's resounding victory. This defeat has further intensified internal pressure on the Congress and has led to questions about its ability to effectively lead the INDIA bloc. While the bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and the Delhi Assembly elections will serve as crucial tests for the unity and effectiveness of the INDIA bloc, the reluctance of key allies to form alliances raises serious concerns about the future of this opposition coalition.
Source: No AAP Alliance In Delhi, SP’s Bypoll Snub: INDIA Partners Add Insult To Congress’s Haryana Injury