Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Jan 9: Congress leader Pawan Khera stated on Thursday that the INDIA bloc was formed exclusively for the Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that the Congress is steadily gaining traction ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. His comments came in response to remarks by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who also highlighted that the INDIA alliance was designed for national-level elections.

Amid visible tensions within the alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, both key members of the INDIA bloc, have chosen to contest the Delhi Assembly elections separately. Meanwhile, several other alliance partners have extended their support to AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Khera clarified that the INDIA bloc's scope was limited to Lok Sabha elections, and decisions regarding state-level contests depend on the political landscape in each region. With less than a month remaining for the Delhi Assembly polls, the political atmosphere is heating up, as the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress prepare for a high-stakes battle in the 70-member Assembly.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan predicted a third consecutive win for AAP in Delhi following the Election Commission's announcement that voting will take place on February 5, with results declared on February 8. Chavan expressed disappointment over the Congress and AAP parting ways after their alliance in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that a continued partnership could have guaranteed victory.

Khera responded by stating that Chavan’s remarks reflected a belief in the strength of the alliance, but now that the two parties are contesting separately, the outcome is uncertain. He added that the Congress is gaining significant momentum and could emerge as a key player in Delhi.

On the BJP's accusations of Kejriwal playing the 'Hindutva card,' Khera dismissed them as irrelevant, remarking that politics is not a card game. He added that such allegations should remain confined to drawing rooms.

With polling just weeks away and results to follow shortly after, the contest between the AAP, BJP, and Congress promises to be a closely fought battle.