Congress’s AAP-Indifference: Blames Kejriwal’s Party for LS Loss, Won’t Ally for Delhi, Haryana Polls

The recent Lok Sabha elections in Delhi have exposed internal conflicts within the Congress party. A report submitted by a fact-finding committee to the Congress President reveals that the party’s candidates hold the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responsible for their electoral defeat. As a result, the Congress has decided not to form an alliance with the AAP for the upcoming Delhi and Haryana assembly elections.

The report highlights that three Congress candidates, Udit Raj, JP Aggarwal, and Kanhaiya Kumar, felt that the AAP did not provide adequate support to their campaigns or facilitate vote transfers in their favor. These candidates had expected the AAP’s backing to be crucial in securing their victory. Udit Raj, a Congress leader, stated, “The AAP declared their candidates in February and started campaigning. We announced our candidates by March. Despite AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal instructing party workers to campaign for us, they didn’t. I believe they thought that immediately after the Lok Sabha election, there would be a Delhi assembly election in less than 10 months. Asking for votes for the Congress would harm their chances in the Delhi assembly elections. Not only the AAP, but even some local leaders within the Congress were against their own candidate. They maligned my image, which led to me losing a seat that I had a chance to win.”

The committee’s findings suggest a deeper issue within the Congress party. The candidates’ reliance on the AAP’s support alienated the Congress cadre, leading to a lack of enthusiasm and engagement in the campaign efforts. This dissatisfaction among Congress workers significantly impacted the party’s performance in the elections. The over-dependence on the AAP’s support not only failed to yield the desired results but also caused rifts within the party’s own ranks, further diminishing their chances at the polls.

The Congress’s decision to go solo in the Delhi and Haryana assembly elections aims to prevent similar internal conflicts and strengthen the party’s campaign efforts. By choosing to rely on its own resources and efforts, the Congress hopes to revitalize its grassroots support and re-engage its cadre, ensuring that the party’s campaign is driven by its own strengths rather than relying on external alliances.

As the assembly elections approach, the Congress’s decision to go it alone will be a crucial test of its ability to recover from the Lok Sabha debacle and reassert itself as a significant political force in Delhi and Haryana. The coming months will reveal whether this strategy pays off and how it reshapes the political landscape in these regions.

Key Points:

• The Congress party’s candidates blame the AAP for their electoral defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.
• The Congress has decided not to form an alliance with the AAP for the upcoming Delhi and Haryana assembly elections.
• The report highlights that the AAP did not provide adequate support to the Congress candidates’ campaigns.
• The Congress’s reliance on the AAP’s support alienated the party’s cadre, leading to a lack of enthusiasm and engagement in the campaign efforts.
• The party’s decision to go solo aims to prevent internal conflicts and strengthen its campaign efforts.
• The coming months will reveal whether this strategy pays off and how it reshapes the political landscape in Delhi and Haryana.

Historical Context:

The Congress party has a long history of internal conflicts and power struggles, dating back to its inception in 1885. The party has undergone several splits and mergers over the years, with various factions vying for control. In recent years, the Congress has faced significant challenges, including the rise of regional parties and the decline of its national appeal. The party has struggled to adapt to changing political dynamics and has been criticized for its inability to connect with the masses.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress suffered a significant defeat, winning only 52 seats. The party’s performance was particularly dismal in Delhi, where it won only one seat. The defeat was attributed to various factors, including the party’s inability to connect with the youth and the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The AAP, founded in 2012, has been a significant challenger to the Congress in Delhi. The party has been successful in mobilizing the masses and has been credited with bringing about significant reforms in the city’s governance. The AAP’s rise has been attributed to its ability to connect with the common man and its commitment to issues such as education, healthcare, and corruption.

The recent Lok Sabha elections have exposed internal conflicts within the Congress party, with candidates blaming the AAP for their defeat. The party’s decision to go solo in the upcoming Delhi and Haryana assembly elections is seen as a move to revitalize its grassroots support and re-engage its cadre.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Congress party’s candidates blame the AAP for their electoral defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. • The Congress has decided not to form an alliance with the AAP for the upcoming Delhi and Haryana assembly elections. • The report highlights that the AAP did not provide adequate support to the Congress candidates’ campaigns. • The Congress’s reliance on the AAP’s support alienated the party’s cadre, leading to a lack of enthusiasm and engagement in the campaign efforts. • The party’s decision to go solo aims to prevent internal conflicts and strengthen its campaign efforts. • The coming months will reveal whether this strategy pays off and how it reshapes the political landscape in Delhi and Haryana. • The Congress’s decision to go solo is seen as a move to revitalize its grassroots support and re-engage its cadre. • The party’s ability to recover from the Lok Sabha debacle and reassert itself as a significant political force in Delhi and Haryana will be a crucial test. • The AAP’s rise has been attributed to its ability to connect with the common man and its commitment to issues such as education, healthcare, and corruption. • The Congress’s inability to connect with the masses and its decline in national appeal have been significant challenges for the party.