As preparations for the Delhi Assembly elections next year gather momentum, murmurs of an alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress within the INDIA bloc have surfaced. Sources indicate that discussions over seat-sharing might soon begin. Leaders from the Delhi Congress reportedly favour such an alliance.
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In a significant development, AAP’s National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with party leader Sanjay Singh, visited Nationalist Congress Party-SP (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar at his residence. Congress leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gurdeep Singh Sappal, were also present during the meeting.
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Delhi Election 2025: Rahul Gandhi Cancels Event To Launch Congress Campaign
Meanwhile, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, cancelled his planned programme in Delhi on Wednesday, 11 December, where he was expected to launch the party’s campaign for the assembly elections.
According to sources, the cancellation is linked to the possibility of an alliance between AAP and Congress. The outcome reportedly hinges on AAP’s offer. If AAP proposes a double-digit number of seats for Congress, the alliance could materialise, sources suggested.
Arvind Kejriwal had earlier categorically stated that there would be no alliance with Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections. Congress, too, had announced its decision to contest alone. Devender Yadav, the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress, said, “We shall contest all 70 seats in Delhi.”
Initially, reports suggested that a meeting between Kejriwal and Pawar would focus on the leadership dynamics within the INDIA bloc, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s role under discussion. However, the presence of Congress leaders at the meeting shifted the narrative.
Delhi Election 2025: Arvind Kejriwal Announces 5 Promises For Auto Drivers
This comes as AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal announced five guarantees for the city’s autorickshaw drivers on Tuesday. These guarantees include a Rs 10 lakh life insurance scheme, Rs 1 lakh assistance for the wedding of a daughter, Rs 2,500 uniform allowance twice a year on Holi and Diwali, and free coaching for auto drivers’ children to prepare for competitive exams.
Kejriwal made the announcement after meeting with the family members of auto driver Navneet in the Kondli constituency. He was accompanied by his wife, Sunita Kejriwal.
Emphasising the AAP’s commitment to the welfare of auto-rickshaw drivers, Kejriwal unveiled five guarantees that would be implemented if the party is re-elected to power. He stated, “I am announcing five guarantees for all auto-rickshaw drivers: Life insurance of up to Rs 10 lakh, accident insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh assistance for the wedding of a daughter, Rs 2,500 uniform allowance twice a year on Holi and Diwali, and free coaching for children to prepare for competitive exams.”
Furthermore, the government will restart the ‘PoochO’ app, as announced by the former Delhi chief minister. The ‘PoochO’ app facilitated direct connections between commuters and registered auto drivers, enhancing last-mile connectivity in the city.