Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Chief Minister of Delhi, has categorically denied any possibility of an alliance with Congress or any INDIA bloc partners for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in 2024. Speaking at a press conference today, Kejriwal asserted, “There will be no alliance in Delhi.” This announcement puts to rest speculations about a potential tie-up, especially after past collaborations yielded little success.
Failed Alliances and Electoral Setbacks
In 2019, the AAP and Congress joined forces for the Lok Sabha elections but suffered a crushing defeat as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept all seats in Delhi. Similarly, seat-sharing talks between the two parties before the Haryana Assembly elections in 2021 ended in failure, enabling the BJP to secure a majority.
Kejriwal’s decision to go solo reflects his confidence in AAP’s governance model, which has been a cornerstone of his campaigns in Delhi.
Attack on Kejriwal Sparks Security Concerns
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following an attack on Kejriwal during a public rally in Malviya Nagar. A man splashed liquid, alleged to be spirit, on Kejriwal while he interacted with supporters. Speaking about the incident, Kejriwal said, “The liquid was harmless, but it could have been harmful. This raises serious questions about the law and order in the national capital.”
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the attacker intended to set Kejriwal on fire. According to Bharadwaj, the assailant carried a matchbox and the liquid had a distinct spirit-like smell. “This was an attempt to burn him alive,” he claimed, adding that AAP volunteers managed to avert a potentially disastrous situation.
The attacker, Ashok Jha, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus marshal, has been detained. Police investigations revealed that Jha was frustrated over unpaid wages and had acted out of personal grievance. However, BJP leaders dismissed AAP’s claims, calling the incident a “publicity stunt.”
Victim of Gangsters: Kejriwal Defends AAP MLA
Adding to the controversies, AAP MLA Naresh Balyan was arrested in connection with an extortion case. Kejriwal defended Balyan, stating that he was a victim of gangsters and was being falsely implicated. “He had received ransom threats and filed complaints multiple times, yet he is now being targeted,” Kejriwal said.
Delhi Police allege that Balyan is linked to gangster Kapil Sangwan, who is reportedly operating from abroad. An audio clip purportedly featuring Balyan discussing extortion collections surfaced on social media, prompting his arrest.
BJP vs. AAP: War of Words
The BJP has accused AAP of orchestrating incidents for sympathy and deflecting attention from governance issues. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva questioned, “Why do such incidents always happen with Kejriwal?”
AAP, in turn, has accused the BJP-led Centre of targeting its leaders through politically motivated investigations.
Focus on the Upcoming Elections
With the Delhi Assembly elections approaching, Kejriwal remains steadfast in his decision to contest independently. His party’s performance in Delhi has often been lauded for its emphasis on education, healthcare, and public welfare, which could serve as a strong electoral plank.
As tensions escalate and controversies unfold, all eyes are on the political strategies that will define Delhi’s political landscape in 2024.
