After Lok Sabha, Congress gets behind AAP for MCD mayoral polls; Delhi Assembly elections next?

“The Congress leadership in Delhi has been very forthcoming,” an AAP insider said. “Both parties have realised that it is best for them to come together for all forms of elections,” they added.

“This association in the MCD is somewhat of a trial to see the public acceptability of an AAP-Congress alliance,” the insider added.

According to Congress sources, the move was a strategic one “for the time being” and based on the high command’s directive, just like the one for the Lok Sabha elections.

AAP’s Durgesh Pathak; Congress’s Arvinder Lovely (File Photo)

“What does the Congress get in the larger scheme of things? It is not like the AAP is vacating the post of Deputy Mayor for a Congress councillor,” a senior Delhi Congress leader said.

“At the moment, this is certainly a decision which has arisen out of political exigencies…,” another Congress leader said.

AAP MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak termed the announcement “a significant setback” for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Former Congress MLA and Chairman of its Communications Department Anil Bhardwaj told reporters that Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely had directed party councillors to vote for AAP candidates to avoid a repeat of the Chandigarh Mayoral election.
“The Congress’ sole purpose is the smooth functioning of the MCD for the larger good of the people,” Bhardwaj said.

Welcoming the support, Pathak said, “This shows that the INDIA bloc will together defeat the BJP’s dictatorial and corrupt government…”

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor sought to argue that while Pathak was “overwhelmed by Congress support”, two councillors of his own party were rebelling by announcing they would contest elections.

“Many councillors of the AAP are now listening to the voice of their conscience and are distancing themselves from the party engulfed in the swamp of corruption,” Kapoor alleged.

Meanwhile, MCD councillors shared mixed feelings with regard to the announcement.

“We do not know if it will be beneficial for the councillors or not but the high-command’s decision will be followed by all of us,” said Sameer Ahmad, Congress Councillor from Shastri Park.

“We will support whatever our party decides,” Nazia Khatoon, Congress’ Brij Puri Councillor, said.

Ariba Khan, Congress Councillor from Abul Fazal Enclave, said, “Personally, I am not in support of an alliance at the MCD because I have heard that the AAP is facing an internal conflict and even if their councillors end up cross voting, the blame can be shifted on the Congress councillors,”

Prem Chauhan, AAP councillor from Dakshinpuri Extension, said, “Because BJP is…killing democracy, it is important that Congress and AAP come together…”

Narender Kumar, councillor from Manglapuri ward, who has filed his nomination for deputy mayor’s post, said, “This is a good sign, the alliance will get stronger because of this.” When asked if he is going to withdraw his candidature to support AAP’s chosen candidate, he said, “This is our internal party issue, nothing is decided as of now…we will take a decision based on what’s best for the citizens of Delhi.”

Meanwhile, Neeta Bisht, BJP’s Deputy Mayor candidate, said, “They can do whatever they want but we will still win because all their (AAP’s) councillors are frustrated now…”