Punjab CM rejects possibility of Congress-AAP alliance in state

PTC Web Desk: In a significant setback for the Congress, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has categorically rejected the possibility of an alliance between the Congress and AAP in Punjab in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Both parties are currently allies in the Opposition INDIA bloc.

As per reports, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's declaration came shortly after Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the TMC, also an INDIA ally, would independently contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2023. When questioned about the TMC's decision and whether AAP would follow suit, Punjab CM Mann said, "In Punjab, we will not engage in any alliance with the Congress. We have no affiliation with the Congress." He expressed confidence in his party's ability to secure victory in all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.

#WATCH | On TMC leader Mamata Banerjee saying "Will fight alone" during Lok Sabha polls in Bengal, Punjab CM & AAP leader Bhagwant Mann says, "...In Punjab, we will not do anything (alliance with Congress) like that, we have nothing with Congress." pic.twitter.com/JVBY8FtjJV — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024

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Earlier reports suggested that AAP is leaning towards contesting the Lok Sabha elections 2024 independently in all 13 seats of Punjab. It is reported that Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has endorsed a proposal from the Punjab unit of AAP to contest the elections autonomously. Sources say AAP may refrain from aligning with the Congress, citing the grand old party's unyielding stance on seat-sharing as a point of contention.

Opposition INDIA bloc in a fix

Mamata Banerjee's decision to go solo in the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal further complicated the scenario for the Opposition INDIA bloc, which aims to present a united front against the ruling BJP. Banerjee cited failed seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress, a crucial member of the bloc, as the reason for the TMC's independent stance.

Banerjee's announcement followed a public exchange of criticism with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who described the West Bengal Chief Minister as an opportunist and declared that the Congress would contest the elections without her support. Tension between the TMC and Congress escalated over the TMC's offer of two seats to the Congress, based on its 2019 Lok Sabha election performance, which was perceived as inadequate.