NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday expressed concerns over the intense rivalry between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, suggesting that it would benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He emphasised that the focus should be on opposing the BJP in both the national capital and the country.
“Congress and AAP contested the Lok Sabha elections together. However, the situation arising in the Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) elections makes it appear as though they are inadvertently helping the BJP. Our fight should be against the BJP, both in Delhi and across the country,” said Raut.

He further remarked that the two members of the INDIA bloc “tearing each other down” was inappropriate. He warned that the public was observing this discord and would question such behaviour during the next Lok Sabha elections.
“AAP and Congress, members of the INDIA Alliance, are contesting the Delhi elections. Although the dates are yet to be announced, a conflict has already begun. Both parties are trading accusations and undermining one another. This is not right. The intensity of the feud between AAP and Congress is being watched by the public, who will hold us accountable for such conduct in the next Lok Sabha elections,” Raut said.
The senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader expressed disappointment over Congress labelling former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal as a “deshdrohi” (traitor). He highlighted the inconsistency of criticising the BJP for using such labels against Congress leaders, while Congress employs the same term for its ally, AAP.
“Kejriwal, who has served as the chief minister of Delhi for 10 years, has been elected by the people. Why label him a ‘deshdrohi’? When the BJP uses such terms against Congress leaders, we oppose them. However, Congress labelling its ally (AAP) with the same term during the campaign is inappropriate. Contesting elections against each other is acceptable, but there should be dignity and patience, as we will need to unite eventually,” Raut stated.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Alka Lamba on Tuesday highlighted the anti-incumbency sentiments against both the central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
She noted that the public has experienced a decade of governance and has compared the achievements of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit with those of subsequent administrations. Lamba expressed confidence that the people would vote for Congress this time.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, the Congress leader claimed that the party lacked an agenda and only knew how to campaign in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to hold a press conference today to announce the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The briefing will commence at 2pm in the Plenary Hall at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won just eight seats. Congress failed to win any seats.