With the Delhi Assembly election slated for February 5, cracks within the INDIA opposition bloc have surfaced as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) publicly supported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging Congress to step aside in favor of regional strength. This comes amidst growing tensions within the bloc, which previously showed promise during last year’s Lok Sabha polls but has since faced electoral setbacks and internal discord.

The AAP and Congress are contesting Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats independently, raising questions about the bloc’s survival and effectiveness. The rivalry escalated after Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken’s harsh criticism of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. In response, AAP demanded Congress’ removal as bloc leader, adding to the rift.

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav stressed the need for unity, pointing out that the INDIA bloc’s founding principle was to support regional parties best positioned to defeat the BJP. “When the alliance was formed, it was agreed that where regional parties are strong, the bloc would strengthen them. AAP is strong in Delhi, and our aim is to defeat the BJP,” Yadav said, offering SP’s support to AAP.

Echoing this sentiment, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee referenced successful collaborations in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, where the Congress had taken a secondary role to regional parties like the DMK and JMM. “The INDIA bloc decided to let strong regional parties lead in their respective regions. In Delhi, AAP is the clear choice to take on the BJP,” Banerjee explained.

The INDIA bloc has faced similar challenges in other states. For instance, the Congress failed to strike a seat-sharing deal with AAP in Haryana, leading to a BJP victory. Allies like the SP and TMC have repeatedly highlighted these failures, urging Congress to prioritize unity over individual gains.

Despite the tensions, leaders like Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference have called for cohesion within the alliance. “The INDIA bloc is a permanent alliance, built for every day and every moment,” Abdullah said, emphasizing the need to overcome internal rivalries.

As the Delhi election approaches, the INDIA bloc’s ability to unite against the BJP remains in question. The Congress and AAP’s rivalry risks undermining the coalition’s collective strength, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance local ambitions with the alliance’s broader goals.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling his recent statement on India’s independence “treason.” Speaking at the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters in Delhi, Gandhi accused Bhagwat of undermining the country’s struggle for independence and the sanctity of its Constitution.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments came in response to Bhagwat’s assertion that India attained “true independence” only after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The RSS chief had made the remark while presenting the National Devi Ahilya Award in Indore, where he stated that August 15, 1947, marked only political independence, not the fulfillment of India’s cultural and spiritual aspirations.

“This is an insult to every Indian,” Gandhi said. “To claim that India did not achieve independence in 1947 is to dismiss the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and the democratic foundation laid by the Constitution. Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to say these things publicly. In any other country, he would be arrested and tried for treason.”

Criticizing the RSS chief further, Gandhi stated, “It’s time we stop tolerating this nonsense. The Constitution is not just a document; it’s the symbol of our freedom and the culmination of decades of struggle against colonial rule. Bhagwat’s remarks undermine all of that.”

During his speech in Indore, Bhagwat had elaborated on his view, describing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a representation of India’s cultural unity. He suggested that the nation’s “true independence” was established when the temple was consecrated, connecting it to the ethos of Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, who, he said, embody India’s identity.

The remarks have drawn widespread criticism from opposition leaders and historians, who argue that such statements distort the historical significance of India’s independence movement and the adoption of its Constitution in 1950.

Rahul Gandhi’s response highlights growing tensions between the Congress party and the RSS, with the opposition leader accusing the latter of undermining India’s secular values and rewriting its history to suit ideological agendas.

Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to file his nomination papers for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election from the New Delhi constituency today. Accompanied by numerous supporters, including many women whom he called “mothers and sisters” of the city, Mr. Kejriwal plans to seek blessings before the formal nomination process.

In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, Kejriwal stated, “Today will be filing nomination for the polls. Many mothers and sisters will be accompanying me to bless me. Will visit Hanuman and Valmiki temples to seek blessings before filing nominations.”

The electoral battle for the New Delhi constituency will see Kejriwal facing off against Parvesh Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, marking a high-stakes triangular contest.

Corruption allegations cloud campaign

Kejriwal’s campaign comes amidst controversy, as the Union Home Ministry recently approved the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request to prosecute him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case is linked to allegations that AAP received bribes from the “South Group,” a cartel accused of benefiting from the 2021-22 excise policy.

The former Delhi Chief Minister has denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of weaponizing central agencies against political rivals. “These charges are baseless and politically motivated,” Kejriwal has maintained.

Election fever and political accusations

The 70-member Delhi Assembly is heading for elections on February 5, with results to be announced on February 8. The campaign period has been marked by fiery exchanges between AAP, BJP, and Congress. While the BJP and Congress have targeted Kejriwal over corruption charges and alleged extravagant spending on his official residence, AAP has countered with accusations of misgovernance and lack of development.

The ongoing “Sheesh Mahal” controversy over Kejriwal’s alleged lavish spending on his official residence has also added fuel to the election rhetoric. Both the BJP and Congress have criticized Kejriwal for misusing public funds, an issue likely to influence voter sentiment.

With election day approaching, the triangular contest promises to be a heated battle for control of the capital, with each party vying for public trust amidst the cacophony of allegations and promises.