Despite this initial resistance, the political landscape in Haryana has changed. The Congress central leadership has initiated talks with the AAP for seat-sharing in the upcoming Assembly elections. So, what has actually changed and what does the Congress plan to achieve with this alliance?
The Grand Old Party’s decision to align with the AAP in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections is driven by a combination of strategic objectives, primarily focused on strengthening its leadership within the opposition, consolidating anti-BJP votes and maintaining the momentum of the INDIA bloc beyond the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rahul Gandhi, as a Congress leader and a key opposition figure, aims to demonstrate his ability to bring together diverse political entities under a unified front. By aligning himself with the AAP, Gandhi is positioning himself as a leader capable of building consensus and leading a cohesive opposition – an essential quality to remain the face of resistance against the ruling BJP.
One of the main objectives of the Congress in this alliance is to avoid a split in votes among the opposition parties. In a state like Haryana, where the BJP has a significant presence, any split in the anti-BJP vote could be detrimental to the chances of the opposition at large. By joining forces with the AAP, the Congress aims to pool its resources and voter bases to create a formidable challenge to the BJP, thereby improving its chances of success in the Assembly elections.
Apart from this, the alliance also serves as a statement that the INDIA bloc, which came together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is not just a one-time arrangement but an ongoing political strategy.
By maintaining this alliance in the state elections, the Congress is showing its commitment to a long-term opposition coalition that can counter the BJP at both the national and regional levels. This move reinforces the message that the opposition is united not only for the national elections but also for state-level contests, ensuring that the anti-BJP narrative remains strong and cohesive across the country.
Now that talks with the AAP have started, the Congress is also planning to bring the Samajwadi Party and the Left into the alliance and give only a few seats to the AAP. Congress sources said former chief minister Bhupinder Hooda told the leaders at the CEC meeting that he was doubtful about an alliance with the AAP but if this is what the leaders want, then only a reasonable number of seats should be given as the Left and the SP should also be accommodated.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.