New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated that the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have reached a mutual understanding to independently contest Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, emphasising there is no animosity between the two parties regarding this decision.
During his visit to Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi's residence for lunch, Kejriwal addressed reporters, asserting, "In Punjab, Congress and AAP have mutually agreed to contest the polls separately. There is no hostility over this."
Despite being rivals in Punjab, AAP and Congress are part of the Opposition bloc nationally.
Kejriwal mentioned ongoing discussions with the Congress to finalise seat-sharing arrangements in Delhi, emphasising the importance of an alliance to prevent an advantage for the BJP. He said, "We are in talks with the Congress over an alliance in Delhi. We are discussing seat-sharing arrangements. The BJP will have it easy if there is no alliance (between Congress and AAP)."
The BJP secured all seven parliamentary seats in Delhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, repeating its success from 2014.
Kejriwal's comments suggest a strategic decision by the Opposition allies to balance their national objective of challenging the BJP with the regional goal of maintaining their respective strongholds.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that AAP would contest all 13 seats in Punjab independently. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa supported this decision, emphasising the uniqueness of the Punjab situation and the need to preserve the Congress's position as the principal opposition.
The alliance understanding between AAP and Congress has faced criticism from the BJP, with top leaders labelling it "opportunistic."