Delhi Elections: Akhilesh Yadav backs AAP over Congress

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday declared that his party will align with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, asserting that AAP holds more strength in the region compared to the Congress.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "The regional party fighting against the BJP should be supported by the leaders of the INDIA alliance. AAP and Congress are fighting against each other in Delhi. AAP is strong and we have decided to stand with them. The question is about Delhi and our goal is that the BJP gets defeated. Congress and AAP have the same goal too."

#WATCH | Haridwar: On the INDIA alliance, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says "The INDIA alliance is intact. I remember when the INDIA alliance was formed, it was decided that wherever a regional party was strong, the alliance would extend support to them. AAP is strong in… pic.twitter.com/gjINs5aLf5

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025

Yadav also reassured that the INDIA alliance remains intact. He remarked, "The INDIA alliance is intact. I remember when the INDIA alliance was formed, it was decided that wherever a regional party was strong, the alliance would extend support to them."

Meanwhile, D Raja, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India, acknowledged the current disarray within the INDIA alliance post the 2024 general elections.

Speaking to ANI, Raja commented, "It is a fact that Opposition is divided. It is known to people that in Delhi, the Assembly election AAP is contesting on its own, Congress is contesting on its own, Left parties are contesting wherever they are capable of putting up a fight and among other parties, certain parties have declared support to AAP. So, it is a fact that INDIA bloc stands divided."

On the other hand, the BJP has been critical of the INDIA alliance's lack of unity and direction.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the alliance of being in disarray, stating, "Today the INDIA alliance has completely disintegrated. Mumbai is going to have elections and Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are preparing to contest alone. Just like you gave us a grand victory in Maharashtra, in the same way, BJP government is going to be formed."

The Delhi assembly elections will be held on February 5, with the counting of votes taking place on February 8.

The AAP has already declared candidates for all 70 assembly seats, while the BJP has announced its candidates for 59 seats. The last date for filing nominations is January 17, with scrutiny scheduled for January 18, and withdrawal of candidacies can be done until January 20.

Despite having ruled Delhi for 15 years, the Congress has struggled in the past two elections, failing to secure any seats. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections, winning 62 out of 70 seats, leaving the BJP with just eight.