Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), declared on Saturday that AAP would contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and one in Chandigarh, effectively signaling the end of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance in the state. Speaking at an event in Khanna, Punjab, Kejriwal emphasized the historic support AAP received in the past Assembly elections and sought blessings for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions between AAP and the Congress over seat sharing, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann previously stating that his party would contest all 13 seats in Punjab. Mann criticized the Congress, suggesting a loss of ground in the state.
The lack of progress in seat-sharing talks indicates a potential shift from the alliance strategy between AAP and Congress, despite their collaboration in the recent Chandigarh mayoral elections. This move suggests a potential four-cornered electoral contest involving AAP, Congress, BJP, and SAD in Punjab.
In response to Kejriwal’s declaration, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarked that the INDIA bloc is disintegrating. He highlighted Kejriwal’s decision to contest alone in Punjab and Chandigarh, indicating the collapse of the alliance. Poonawalla criticized the Congress, suggesting a lack of clarity and unity, contrasting it with AAP’s decisive move.
Poonawalla’s statement underscored the disarray within the Opposition, highlighting the need for a cohesive strategy against the ruling BJP. He criticized Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra, labeling it as more of a ‘bye bye yatra’ and advocated for an ‘INDI jodo yatra’ to unite the Opposition forces.
Overall, Kejriwal’s announcement signals a significant shift in Punjab’s political landscape, with AAP positioning itself as a formidable contender in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while BJP views the disintegration of the INDIA alliance as an opportunity to strengthen its position.
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