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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), currently the ruling party in Delhi, faces uncertainty following exit polls predicting their defeat in the upcoming elections. Despite these predictions, the party maintains a confident stance, publicly asserting their belief in a decisive victory, citing positive ground reports from their candidates. This confidence is juxtaposed against internal discussions about the possibility of forming a government with the support of the Congress party, a move that highlights the complexities of Delhi's political landscape and the potential for shifting alliances.
The AAP's internal strategies reveal a pragmatic approach in the face of potentially unfavorable results. While publicly projecting confidence, senior party leaders acknowledge the possibility of needing Congress's support to form a government. This acknowledgement is significant given the historically strained relationship between the two parties, stemming from a previous short-lived AAP government in 2013 which relied on Congress's outside support. The acrimonious campaign run by the Congress against AAP adds another layer of complexity to any potential collaboration. The fact that both parties belong to the broader INDIA bloc suggests a framework for potential cooperation, but this doesn't eliminate the potential for challenges.
The 2013 experience, when the Congress extended outside support to AAP, ended abruptly after only 49 days, owing to Kejriwal's resignation due to the failure to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill. This event left a negative impression on Congress, making any future cooperation problematic. Although there have been instances of collaboration between the two parties, such as alliances during the Lok Sabha elections, these collaborations have not yielded significant success. This past experience informs the current uncertainty surrounding the potential for a post-election alliance, given the potential for disagreements and a lack of trust between the two parties.
The AAP's internal assessment reveals a nuanced picture of the election results. While the party is confident about winning a majority in certain constituencies, they acknowledge a tighter contest in others, with the Congress potentially securing two to three seats. This close contest underscores the precarious nature of the current political situation. The party's reliance on its own ground reports rather than the exit polls showcases their belief in their own assessment of the electoral ground reality. This divergence between the exit polls and the party's internal assessment underscores the uncertainty and the potential for unexpected outcomes.
The AAP's approach is a calculated gamble. Publicly projecting confidence maintains morale within the party and its supporters. Simultaneously, keeping open the possibility of collaboration with the Congress demonstrates a strategic understanding of the possibility of needing outside support to retain power. The past relationship between the two parties, marked by both cooperation and conflict, will significantly impact any future alliance. Ultimately, the formation of a government in Delhi will depend on the official election results and the willingness of the political parties to navigate the complexities of their past relationships and forge new alliances in the face of a fluctuating political landscape.
This situation highlights the dynamic nature of Indian politics and the strategic maneuvering that often occurs after elections. The exit polls themselves should be treated as projections rather than definitive outcomes, and the next few days will hold crucial importance for the future of Delhi's government. The official counting of votes will be the determining factor in resolving this political impasse and revealing the true extent of the success of each party. The events following the declaration of the results will critically illuminate the willingness of AAP to seek Congress support and the Congress's response to such a request. This scenario is likely to involve extensive political negotiations and strategizing as each party seeks to further its own political interests within the wider context of national politics.
Source: ‘Confident of Delhi win’, AAP keeps options, doors open for Congress