AAP not part of INDIA bloc: Party MP

A dent in Oppn bloc?

- Alok KN Mishra Saubhadra Chatterji

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced its exit from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), an alliance of nearly three dozen Opposition parties, saying that the bloc has “failed to stay united and take steps to further its agenda’.

The grouping was formed only two years ago in July 2023, to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The AAP’s announcement comes just a day before the scheduled meeting of the INDIA bloc and days before the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who made the announcement at his residence, blamed the Congress for the AAP’s decision. He also said that like the previous state elections and bypolls, the ‘AAP will fight the upcoming Bihar polls independently.

“The AAP is not a part of the INDIA alliance, though we will continue to strongly raise public issues in Parliament, oppose the government whenever we believe itis in the wrong, We have always played the role ofa strong opposition and will continue to do that.

INDIA alliance should hold its meetings and take whatever decisions it wants to take,” Singh told reporters on Friday. He said the Congress failed to keep the Opposition united after 2024.

The INDIA bloc won 234 seats in the election, pushing the BJP to its lowest tally since 2009, although the party still emerged the single largest in the house and was able to achieve a majority with its alliance partners.