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Amit Shah also took a jibe at cracks within the INDIA bloc ahead of the Delhi and Mumbai civic elections, saying the ‘ghamandiya’ (arrogant) alliance is scattered.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing a public event in Maharashtra. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at the opposition INDIA alliance, saying the ‘ghamandiya‘ (arrogant) is scattering, in a reference to cracks between the opposition parties in the Delhi Assembly elections, Mumbai local polls and West Bengal elections next year.
Speaking at a public event in Maharashtra, Amit Shah said, “What is the status of the INDIA Alliance? Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are contesting separately in the upcoming Mumbai polls. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are contesting separately in Delhi. Trinamool Congress and Congress are separated in West Bengal. The entire ‘ghamandiya‘ alliance is scattered.”
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “… What is the status of INDI alliance?… Mumbai is going to have elections and Shivsena UBT and Congress are preparing to contest separately… In the Delhi elections, Congress and AAP are contesting separately… The… pic.twitter.com/yTvMARWSeI— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025
His remarks came after reports of an internal rift and leadership conflicts between parties of the INDIA alliance, particularly when AAP publicly appealed to other parties in the alliance to remove Congress over remarks made towards Arvind Kejriwal. AAP is going solo in the upcoming Delhi elections and will contest against Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Furthermore, Shiv Sena (UBT) decided to contest the Mumbai civic polls alone, separating from its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Congress following a dismal performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year. Senior party leader Sanjay Raut said Uddhav Thackeray gave the party indications that it should go alone.
ALSO READ: ‘INDIA Bloc Is Intact’: Akhilesh Yadav Refutes Speculations Of Rift In Opposition
‘Keep Firecrackers Ready…’: Amit Shah On Delhi Polls
Delhi will go to polls on February 5 in a single phase, with an intense electoral battle expected between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP. The Congress is also in the fray, although it would not join hands with its INDIA bloc partner.
Speaking on BJP’s chances in the Delhi elections, Amit Shah, “Under PM Modi’s leadership, BJP is moving forward with one idea after another. Keep your firecrackers ready on October 8, a BJP government will be formed in Delhi as well. Year 2024 ended with the victory of Maharashtra and 2025 will begin with BJP’s Delhi Victory,” he said.
The counting of votes will take place on February 8. As per the final electoral roll of Delhi, the national capital has 1,55,24,858 voters. The number increased by 1.09 per cent since the publication of the October 29, 2024, draft of electors. Delhi has 70 constituencies (58 General and 12 SC seats).
AAP has enjoyed a majority government in the national capital since 2015, securing a thumping victory twice in Delhi Assembly elections. However, it has faced major setbacks in Lok Sabha polls, failing to win a single seat since 2014.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday dismissed the AAP’s claim that he is the party’s candidate for the Chief Minister’s post in the upcoming Delhi elections, dubbing the speculation as “baseless”.
While addressing a press conference on Saturday, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal reiterated the claim that the saffron camp has decided to project its leader Ramesh Bidhuri as the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. He had also congratulated the BJP leader and had asked him for his vision for the national capital. He had challenged Bidhuri to a public debate to let Delhiites decide who is better equipped to lead.
