Opinion: Why did Congress abandon AAP in Delhi?

Hyderabad: Delhi Election results came as a surprise for many Indians but for those who have been following the political game of the national parties Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, AAP's defeat is equivalent to throwing a pawn out of the chess board.

Why did AAP lose?

Apart from what is being touted in the media as arrogance and corruption, AAP has become a ‘political nuisance value’ for both the BJP and Congress.

The BJP used all its resources to win those unhappy with the Aam Aadmi Party. Congress used all its resources to gain the territory it had lost due to AAP.

Hence, on the ground, Congress worked towards dismantling the aura created by AAP in the minds of Delhi people. They reminded people again and again of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit and the manner in which she governed Delhi. This was a strategic reminder to the people of Delhi that they needed a chief minister of that stature for Delhi.

Did Congress have those leaders in Delhi?

No, Congress had no such leaders of the stature of Dikshit but they created an impression in people’s minds that they have to look beyond AAP. This is where Congress worked towards pushing people away from AAP.

What did Congress gain?

Congress has now made it clear to the regional parties who were/are a part of the INDIA alliance that it is the ‘big daddy’ of national politics. Their efforts toward dismantling the aura of AAP have sent a message to other regional parties that Congress is not someone that can be messed with.

Why the tit-for-tat with AAP?

AAP has played a spoiled sport for Congress in the Gujarat Assembly elections. Most of the national and regional leaders have found that the party was more of a hurdle. During the talks with the INDIA alliance, there was a lot of resistance within the Congress for AAP. But with Uddhav Thackery and Sharad Pawar backing AAP, Congress gave in to the demand.

With Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, now finding his footing in national politics, the role of regional parties is being scrutinised more closely.

So, while the BJP worked towards finding its footing in Delhi, the Congress worked towards dismantling AAP in Delhi.

Was AAP caught unaware of this game?

No, in the political game, AAP was conscious of the threat from the national parties. However, there was a lack of support within AAP and from the people of Delhi. Apart from corruption, liquor scam and other accusations, Delhities wanted a break from ‘crybaby’ politics.

The road ahead

With the BJP now to rule Delhi, Congress is going to work towards gaining the ground it has lost. It will not be easy for Congress but at the end of the day, the two national parties are going to be comfortable competing with each other and would be fine not having another party to eat into their vote bank.

Though AAP has some footprint in other states, after its defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP’s national party status might be in peril. APP gained five seats in the 2023 Gujarat Assembly elections. In the Goa Assembly elections, AAP expanded its footprint by winning two seats in South Goa. However, AAP also witnessed defeat in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections where it contested 89 out of 90 seats but could only gain 1.76% vote share.

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