In a significant political development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday that the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) alliance with Congress is not permanent. Speaking to India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, Kejriwal emphasized that the primary goal of both parties is to defeat the BJP. “I am not in a permanent marriage with Congress. Our aim is to defeat the BJP for now,” Kejriwal stated.
Kejriwal, who also serves as AAP’s national convenor, hinted at a major political surprise on June 4, predicting a victory for the opposition INDIA alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Despite the alliance in Delhi, AAP and Congress remain rivals in Punjab, highlighting the complexities of their political relationship.
Addressing his legal troubles, Kejriwal discussed his potential return to jail over the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. “My going back to jail is not an issue. This country’s future is at stake… Let them jail me for as long as they want, I will not be cowed down,” he declared. He affirmed his commitment to his role as Delhi CM and dismissed any notion of resigning under BJP pressure.
Currently, Kejriwal is out on interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, with the Supreme Court requiring him to surrender on June 2. This legal backdrop adds to the political drama as the elections approach.
Political analyst Prashant Kishor weighed in on Kejriwal’s release from jail, suggesting it would boost AAP’s morale but wouldn’t significantly impact voter behavior outside Delhi and Punjab. Kishor noted that AAP is contesting 22 seats—14 in Punjab, 7 in Delhi, and 1 in Gujarat. He argued that any gains for AAP in Punjab would likely come at Congress’s expense, given the direct competition between the two parties in the state.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the upcoming election results on June 4 will be closely watched. Voting in Delhi took place on May 25, while Punjab will vote in a single phase on June 1. The outcomes will reveal the impact of these political maneuvers and the strength of the opposition alliance against the BJP.
