INDI Setback for Rahul Gandhi: AAP Calls On Allies to Remove Congress from Opposition Bloc

New Delhi: In a significant development which is likely to change the political course of the INDI bloc, several opposition leaders have united against the Congress as they are attempting to push the grand-old party out of the alliance. 

The opposition parties united against Congress include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Trinamool Congress. The opposition parties have claimed that the INDI alliance under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi cannot take on the BJP so they are coming togther to push him out of the alliance.

This could be a big blow to the INDI alliance itself as it has always displayed that it stands united under all circumstances though cracks have appeared in it several times. 

It is learnt that AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has already dialed SP president Akhilesh Yadav and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over the issue. 

As the situation develops, AAP is emerging as the first party to make it official that it wants an alliance without Congress. It is speculated that key opposition leaders are backing Banerjee to lead the opposition alliance with SP, AAP and TMC appearing to be on the same page.

As differences have cropped up within the INDI alliance, Rahul Gandhi's fate remains uncertain. 

AAP's Ultimatum to Congress

The AAP on Thursday held a press conference over the latest development. Addressing reporters, AAP MP Sanjay Singh launched a blistering attack on the Congress for calling Kejriwal "anti-national" and registering a case against him over the “non-existent” welfare schemes announced by the AAP chief recently.Sanjay Singh accused the grand-old party of going against the AAP.

Singh further gave an ultimatum to the Congress for registering an FIR against Ajay Maken over his remarks on Kejriwal, warning it of further consequences in political arena. He said if FIR is not registered against Maken then AAP would demand other INDI partners to separate Congress from the Opposition bloc.  He also accused the Congress of aiming to harm the political prospects of the AAP in Delhi polls over its selections of candidates.

Sanjay Singh said, "AAP will ask INDIA bloc parties to remove Congress from alliance if no action taken against Ajay Maken...Congress's list of candidates for Delhi polls appears to be prepared by BJP; aimed at harming AAP." 

Singh also alleged that “Congress was doing everything to help BJP win Delhi polls. He said that "Cong's Ajay Maken reads BJP's script."

Delhi CM Atishi also slammed the Congress for targetting the AAP. Atishi claimed that "Congress candidates are being supported by the "BJP" to bear their election expenditure.

Atishi said, "Congress's action makes it clear that the party has made some arrangements with BJP for Delhi elections. Yesterday, Congress's senior leader Ajay Maken said that Arvind Kejriwal is anti-national. I want to ask the Congress party if they have ever levelled the same allegations against any BJP leader. No. But today, Congress is accusing Arvind Kejriwal of being anti-national. Congress yesterday filed an FIR against me and Arvind Kejriwal. why? Has Congress filed any FIR against any BJP leader ever?"

"We have found through credible sources that Congress candidates are being their election expenditure is coming from the BJP. BJP is funding Congress candidates. We have heard that Sandeep Dikshit is getting funded by BJP..."

"If Congress thinks we (AAP) are anti-national, then why did they contest Lok Sabha elections in alliance with us? It is clear that Congress leaders have reached some mutual understanding with BJP to defeat AAP and make BJP win in Delhi....If there is no understanding between Congress nad BJP, then they should take action against Ajay Maken within 24 hours...," she further said.

AAP Vs Congress: Rahul to Be Out of INDI?

This comes amid a complaint against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP by Delhi Youth Congress over "non-existent" govt schemes for women and elderlies in the national capital.

The Congress has accused the AAP of misleading the public with promises of "non-existent" welfare schemes, including the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana' that promised Rs 2,100 cash assistance to women. 

It is said that the AAP is upset with the Congress after its move against it. Media reports suggest that AAP was upset about remarks made by Ajay Maken and other Delhi Congress leaders targeting the ruling party in the city.

The complaint against Kejriwal was lodged by Congress after two Delhi departments released public notices terming the two schemes announced by Kejriwal while campaigning for the Delhi assembly elections, as "non-existent". The notices, which triggered a massive row on Thursday (December 26), were issued after Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi kickstarted registration for the two schemes on Monday (Dec 23).

Further, Kejriwal has ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.