Delhi election: Congress’ Resurgence in Delhi Could Derail AAP’s Calculations—Here’s Why”

Delhi election : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seems to be caught in a strategic dilemma as it approaches the upcoming elections in Delhi. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is its primary opponent, AAP appears more concerned about the resurgence of Congress and the indirect impact it could have on the electoral dynamics. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

• Delhi election: 1. Congress as a Spoiler
• The Congress party, despite its weakened presence in Delhi over the past decade, poses a significant challenge to AAP on several seats. Reports suggest that AAP is more concerned about Congress splitting the anti-BJP vote, which could inadvertently benefit the BJP.
• There are around 10 constituencies where Congress is expected to give tough competition, making it a critical factor in the election results.

Delhi election: 2. Soft vs. Aggressive Stance by Congress

• Initially, there were indications that the Congress high command might adopt a softer stance toward AAP, possibly due to their partnership in the INDIA alliance at the national level. However, this does not seem to have materialized fully. Delhi Congress leaders continue to criticize AAP on various fronts, including corruption and unfulfilled promises.
• The aggressive rhetoric from Congress leaders like Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dixit underscores their intent to challenge AAP head-on.

Delhi election: 3. Impact of Congress’ Resurgence

• AAP’s primary concern is not Congress winning seats but weakening AAP’s vote share, allowing BJP to gain an advantage. This triangular contest complicates AAP’s electoral strategy, especially as it aims for a third consecutive term in Delhi.

Delhi election: 4. Challenges for Congress

• Despite its resurgence in some areas, Congress faces internal challenges, including a lack of consistent leadership in the campaign. Rahul Gandhi’s health issues and the limited involvement of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Delhi campaign could hinder Congress’ efforts to mount a strong challenge.

Delhi election: 5. Why AAP Fears Congress More than BJP

• AAP has positioned itself as the primary opponent to BJP in Delhi over the last decade.
• The triangular contest adds unpredictability to the election, with AAP now needing to manage not just its rivalry with BJP but also its fragile relationship with Congress within the INDIA alliance.

Conclusion

While BJP remains a formidable opponent, Congress’ presence as a third player could upset AAP’s calculations. For Arvind Kejriwal’s party, maintaining its dominance will require not just countering BJP but also mitigating the impact of Congress’ potential comeback.