Is AAP Abandoning the INDIA Bloc for Bihar Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- AAP will contest Bihar elections independently.
- Decision aligns with their past independent strategies.
- INDIA bloc alliance faced criticism after poor performance.
- Key issues will be raised in the upcoming parliamentary session.
- AAP distances itself from Congress leadership.
New Delhi, July 20 (NationPress) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh announced on Sunday that the party will independently contest the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, stepping away from the INDIA bloc — the coalition formed for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Singh, who is also the party's in-charge for Bihar, stated in an interview with IANS that this decision is consistent with AAP's independent strategy seen in various states.
"The INDIA bloc was designated solely for the Lok Sabha elections. Subsequently, we contested independently in Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab by-elections. Now, we will also challenge in the Bihar elections alone," Singh declared.
This announcement comes amidst increasing speculation regarding AAP's distancing from the INDIA bloc following its disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections. The AAP-Congress alliance failed to secure any seats in Delhi, where the BJP achieved a clean sweep of all seven seats for the third time in a row.
Furthermore, AAP has attributed its defeat to Congress, criticizing the party for not being a robust opposition.
Earlier, Singh had declared that AAP would not participate in the INDIA bloc meeting on July 19, indicating a formal exit from the coalition. "The party is no longer a member of the alliance," he affirmed.
When questioned if other members of the INDIA bloc might follow AAP's lead and withdraw from the coalition due to Congress' leadership, Singh replied, "As far as AAP is concerned, we will continue to play a strong opposition role everywhere, whether on the streets or in the Assembly. I can only speak for my party regarding other parties."
His remarks come just weeks after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's comments after the party's bypoll victory in Gujarat's Visavadar, where he accused Congress of aiding the BJP by siphoning off AAP's votes.
"The INDIA bloc was exclusively for the Lok Sabha polls. Now, we have no alliance on our end," Kejriwal stated.
Regarding the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, Singh mentioned that AAP MPs will address critical issues like the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, the demolition of slums in Delhi, and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.