"Contesting elections together...": Arvind Kejriwal Accuses Congress and BJP of Plotting Against AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Congress and BJP of working in tandem to oppose his party, urging them to "officially announce" their alliance.

"Congress should not worry about us," Mr. Kejriwal said amid protests led by women from Punjab outside his Delhi residence. "Those women belong to their (Congress and BJP) parties. They have not come from Punjab. The women in Punjab are with us; they trust AAP. Congress and BJP should officially announce that they are contesting elections together against AAP in Delhi."

Dismissing Congress outright, he added, "Don't take Congress seriously."

Mr. Kejriwal cited AAP’s governance model as proof of its commitment to delivering promises, highlighting the provision of free water to over 12 lakh families in Delhi. He claimed issues arose in his absence, leading to inflated water bills for many residents. "Those who believe their bills are wrong need not pay them. Wait for the elections; AAP will form the government and waive off those incorrect bills," he assured.

The protests outside his residence centered on allegations from Punjab women accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of failing to deliver its promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in the state. Protesters alleged that AAP is preparing similar welfare schemes for Delhi ahead of the assembly elections. AAP's proposed Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana promises Rs 2,100 monthly for women over 18 in the national capital.

Congress seized the opportunity to target AAP. "Just like AAP deceived the women of Punjab, they are now planning to deceive the women of Delhi," Congress said in a statement, urging voters not to fall for "false promises." It emphasized its 15-year rule in Delhi, claiming it transformed the capital's "image, direction, and condition."

Meanwhile, the BJP announced its first list of candidates for the 2025 Delhi assembly elections. Parvesh Verma will take on Mr. Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, while Ramesh Bidhuri will challenge Atishi in Kalkaji.

The controversy around AAP's welfare schemes deepened after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena ordered an inquiry into allegations of unauthorized data collection for the Mahila Samman Yojana. The scheme, aimed at registering women for benefits, has been marred by claims of private individuals collecting personal details without official approval.

AAP, which won a landslide victory in the 2020 assembly elections by securing 62 out of 70 seats, faces an increasingly aggressive opposition as the 2025 elections approach.​