“Jugalbandi” Between BJP and Congress Could Emerge in Delhi Polls, Claims Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday suggested that the upcoming Delhi Assembly election could reveal a hidden "jugalbandi" or alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. Kejriwal, while addressing the media, accused the BJP of secretly partnering with its main opposition party, Congress, for the upcoming polls.

His comments came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had made sharp criticisms of the Aam Aadmi Party. In response, Kejriwal took to social media, stating, "Rahul Gandhi has abused me, but I will not comment on his remarks. His fight is to save the Congress, my fight is to save the country."

BJP's senior leader Amit Malviya quickly fired back at Kejriwal, saying, "Worry about the country later, first save the New Delhi seat," referring to Kejriwal’s representation of the New Delhi constituency in the Delhi Assembly.

Kejriwal, however, did not hold back and retorted, “Great. I wrote one line about Rahul Gandhi and the response comes from BJP. See, how much BJP is troubled. This Delhi election will probably reveal the years-long partnership between the Congress and the BJP.”

At a rally in Seelampur the previous day, Rahul Gandhi took aim at Kejriwal, accusing him of failing to deliver on his promises. “Arvind Kejriwal had said he would clean Delhi, remove corruption, and turn the national capital into Paris. What happened? One cannot move around due to pollution, and inflation is rising,” Gandhi said. He further questioned, "Has Kejriwal removed corruption? Pollution, corruption, and inflation are rising in Delhi."

In addition, Gandhi accused the AAP of remaining silent on the crucial issue of caste census, promising that Congress would conduct a survey if they were to form the government in Delhi.

The Delhi election, set for February 5, will witness a fierce three-cornered contest between the ruling AAP, the Opposition BJP, and the Congress. Tensions between the AAP and Congress have escalated despite both parties having allied in the general elections earlier this year.​