Kejriwal urges unity: Forget differences and move forward together, AAP tells Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, June 25: In a recent conversation between AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal emphasised the need to set aside differences and work together during the opposition meeting in Patna, according to sources within the party. The conversation took place amid confusion regarding the Congress party's stance on the Centre's Delhi ordinance.
Sources revealed that Kejriwal directly spoke with Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that any issues could be resolved over tea. During the opposition meeting, Kejriwal emphasised the importance of moving forward together and leaving behind past disagreements, signaling a desire for unity.
Given the current situation, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has yet to decide whether it will attend the upcoming opposition parties' meeting scheduled in Shimla.
The plan of action is expected to be formulated during another meeting chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge tentatively on July 10 or 12 in Shimla. In a show of unity, opposition parties at the crucial meeting in Patna resolved to confront the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) collectively in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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In a statement issued on Friday, the AAP expressed difficulty in forming an alliance with the Congress following their exchange of words over the contentious Delhi ordinance issue.
During the opposition meet in Patna, several parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the "black ordinance," but the grand old party refused to do so, raising suspicions about its true intentions, as stated by the AAP in a subsequent statement.
AAP sources claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intervened during the meeting, suggesting that Gandhi and Kejriwal should sit together for lunch to address all the issues.
According to AAP sources, at the end of the meeting, Kharge accused an AAP spokesperson of making "wrong" statements about the Congress.
"In response, our national convener Arvind Kejriwal clearly stated that Congress spokespersons had also made misleading statements against AAP. Having said that, there is a need to forget the differences and come together," added the source.
The source mentioned that Rahul Gandhi stressed the importance of following the proper process for discussing the contentious Delhi ordinance.
"Kejriwal asked the Congress to specify the time for the next meeting, but the Congress leaders were non-responsive. All the top opposition leaders present during the meeting had urged the Congress to clarify its stand on the ordinance and fix a meeting to discuss the same," said the source.
The AAP source also highlighted that party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had always supported the Congress in matters of importance.
"Even when Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership was cancelled, Kejriwal opposed it. If Gandhi and the Congress are hesitant to meet AAP leaders, it raises doubts about forging opposition unity. We have consistently requested an appointment with the Congress leadership, but they have refused to engage," the source stated.
The source further mentioned that although the Kharge-led party claims to have always raised its voice against any draconian law, they have remained largely silent on the Delhi ordinance issue.
During the joint press conference held by the opposition parties in Patna, Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha were notably absent.
The BJP criticise d Kejriwal's absence at the joint press conference, claiming that AAP's initial attempts at blackmail during the meeting foreshadowed the future of this "unholy alliance."
However, Kharge stated that a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be made before the Parliament session, questioning why it was being discussed elsewhere when it pertained to Parliament.
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- With inputs from agencies
