The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has formally extended its support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, further cementing the camaraderie within the INDIA bloc of opposition parties. AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platform X to express his heartfelt gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who leads the TMC. In his post, Kejriwal referred to Banerjee as "Didi" and highlighted her unwavering support for AAP over the years.
Kejriwal wrote, "TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamata Didi. Thank you, Didi. You have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times." This move by the TMC reinforces the growing solidarity among INDIA bloc allies, who have been aligning to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at both state and national levels. The TMC joins other INDIA bloc members, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), which had earlier pledged their support to AAP in its bid for a third term in Delhi.
Despite these alliances, AAP has chosen to contest the Delhi Assembly elections independently, having previously formed a coalition with the Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This decision underlines AAP's confidence in its grassroots strength and governance model in the national capital, where it has enjoyed significant electoral success. In 2015, AAP won an overwhelming 67 out of 70 seats, followed by another dominant performance in 2020 with 62 seats. The party is now eyeing a historic third consecutive term, aiming to further solidify its position as a regional powerhouse.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with counting of votes set for February 8. The elections hold immense significance, not only for AAP but also for the broader INDIA bloc, as a strong showing in Delhi would be a morale booster ahead of the 2024 general elections. Kejriwal and his party are banking on their track record of governance, which has been marked by significant investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, to once again secure the trust of Delhi voters.
Mamata Banerjee's decision to back AAP is seen as a strategic move to strengthen opposition unity and present a formidable challenge to the BJP. Political analysts believe that such gestures of solidarity among INDIA bloc allies could pave the way for coordinated strategies in other state elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With the TMC, SP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) now rallying behind Kejriwal, the Delhi elections have taken on a larger narrative of opposition cohesion and resistance against the ruling BJP.
As the campaigning heats up, the focus will also be on how AAP addresses the challenges posed by the BJP, which is aiming to reclaim its influence in Delhi. The BJP has been intensifying its efforts to counter AAP’s popularity by emphasizing issues such as governance shortcomings and alleged corruption. With just weeks to go before the elections, the stage is set for a closely watched political battle in the national capital, where the outcome will resonate beyond Delhi and signal the broader direction of Indian politics leading into 2024.
