This is an archive article published on May 21, 2014
Won’t support AAP: Cong
This division of Muslim votes between the AAP and the Congress is one of the reasons why the AICC supported the state unit’s recommendation to not support the AAP.
.Quashing all rumours regarding supporting the AAP for government formation in the capital, the Delhi unit of Congress on Friday made it clear that it would not extend its support to AAP a second time.
“The Congress will not repeat the mistake of supporting AAP again,” Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said. He said the AAP was only creating confusion by spreading rumours of Congress supporting it.
Speaking to Newsline, Congress legislature party leader Haroon Yusuf said if Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung consults the Congress on government formation, “We will push for fresh elections in Delhi.”
Yusuf also accused former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of misguiding people in Muslim-dominated areas, a strong vote base of the party “only to help out the BJP”. He said AAP should tender an apology to these voters for betraying their trust.
This division of Muslim votes between the AAP and the Congress is one of the reasons why the AICC supported the state unit’s recommendation to not support the AAP.
However, it has been learnt that some within the Congress felt that giving support to AAP would buy some time for the Congress to recover from the Lok Sabha polls debacle.
During a meeting between the AICC and the state Congress unit, the possibility of supporting AAP to keep BJP at bay in Delhi was discussed. Sources said the state unit convinced the high command that such a decision would cause irreparable damage to the party.
Story continues below this ad
Party spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said the Congress has already started making preparations for the Assembly elections in Delhi and the party will enter the election fray “in full force”.
Naveed Iqbal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, and reports from Jammu and Kashmir. With a career spanning over 15 years in frontline journalism, Naveed provides authoritative reporting on the region’s transition, governance, and the socio-political implications of national policies.
Expertise
Regional Specialization: Based in the Srinagar and New Delhi bureaus, Naveed has spent over a decade documenting the unique challenges of Jammu and Kashmir. Her reporting is distinguished by deep contextual knowledge of the region's post-Article 370, statehood debates, and local electoral politics.
Key Coverage Beats: Her extensive body of work covers:
Politics & Governance: Tracking the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP dynamics, including in-depth coverage of J&K’s first Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha polls following the reorganization of the state.
Internal Security & Justice: Providing rigorous reporting on counter-insurgency operations, terror module investigations, and judicial developments involving political detainees and constitutional rights.
Education & Minority Affairs: Highlighting systemic issues such as quota rows in J&K, public service commission reforms, and the challenges faced by minority communities. ... Read More
2 min read
