After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leadership consistently rejected the idea of an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana. Senior leaders like Bhupinder Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Surjewala were vocal in their opposition, citing differences in ideology and local political dynamics.
Despite this initial resistance, the political landscape in Haryana has shifted. The Congress’s central leadership has now initiated talks with AAP for seat-sharing in the upcoming assembly elections. So, what really changed and what is the Congress planning to achieve through this alliance?
The decision of the Grand Old Party to align with AAP in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections is driven by a blend of strategic goals, primarily centered around strengthening its leadership within the Opposition, consolidating anti-BJP votes, and maintaining the momentum of the INDIA bloc beyond the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rahul Gandhi, as the leader of the Congress and a key figure in the Opposition, is aiming to showcase his ability to bring together diverse political entities under a unified front. By aligning with AAP, Gandhi is positioning himself as a leader who can build consensus and lead a cohesive opposition, an essential quality as he continues to be the face of resistance against the ruling BJP.
One of Congress’s primary objectives in this alliance is to prevent a division of votes among the opposition parties. In a state like Haryana, where the BJP has a significant presence, any split in the anti-BJP vote could be detrimental to the overall opposition’s chances. By joining forces with AAP, Congress aims to pool their resources and voter bases to create a formidable challenge to the BJP, thereby enhancing their chances of success in the assembly elections.
Apart from this, the alliance also serves as a statement that the INDIA bloc, which came together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is not just a one-time arrangement but a continuing political strategy.
By maintaining this alliance in state elections, Congress signals its commitment to a long-term opposition coalition that can counter the BJP at both national and regional levels. This move reinforces the message that the Opposition is united not only for national elections but also for state-level contests, ensuring that the anti-BJP narrative remains strong and cohesive across the country.
With talks being initiated with AAP now, the Congress is also planning to incorporate the Samajwadi Party and Left in the alliance and giving only a few seats to AAP. Sources within Congress said former chief minister Bhupinder Hooda told the leadership in the CEC meeting that he is hesitant about an alliance with AAP but if this is what the leadership wants, then only a reasonable number of seats must be given as the Left and SP should also be accommodated.
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