Arvind Kejriwal Rules Out Congress Alliance For Delhi Assembly Elections: 'No Possibility'

Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday reaffirmed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest the forthcoming Delhi assembly elections independently, ruling out any possibility of an alliance with the Congress.

"Aam Aadmi Party will be fighting this election on its own strength in Delhi. There is no possibility of any alliance with Congress," Kejriwal posted on X, amidst reports suggesting his party was negotiating with other members of the Opposition's INDIA bloc for seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the Delhi polls.

This is not the first time the AAP leader has dismissed the prospect of a coalition in Delhi.

Earlier this month, Kejriwal categorically stated that the party has no intention of forming alliances for the Delhi assembly election as it seeks a third consecutive term in power.

His statement follows speculation that Congress and AAP were nearing an agreement for an electoral alliance in Delhi.

On Monday, the AAP released its second list of 20 candidates for the Delhi elections, with notable changes. Manish Sisodia will contest from the Jangpura constituency, replacing his previous seat in Patparganj. In his stead, educator Awadh Ojha has been fielded to contest in Patparganj.

The list reflects significant shifts, as AAP has dropped 17 sitting MLAs in favour of new candidates. However, three prominent figures-Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, and Deepu Chaudhary-have been re-nominated. Chaudhary had previously contested but lost in the last election.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which governed Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has fared poorly in the last two assembly polls, failing to secure a single seat.

The Delhi assembly elections are anticipated to take place in early 2025. In the 2020 elections, AAP achieved a landslide victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured eight seats.

On 7 December, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devendra Yadav criticised AAP and Arvind Kejriwal for the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the capital. He called on Kejriwal to demand the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, drawing a parallel to the former CM Sheila Dixit during the Nirbhaya case.

Yadav further alleged that women in Delhi are disproportionately affected by rising crime, including gang wars, shootings, murders, rapes, harassment, and snatchings.