Signalling that all was is well between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, AAP’s Delhi convener Gopal Rai on Sunday questioned the intention of the Congress behind fielding its president Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad Parliamentary constituency in Kerala.
Rai, who is also a Minister in Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet, said the grand old party needs to clarify if it was under pressure by the Centre to split anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) votes.
The Congress has announced that Gandhi would be contesting the elections from the Wayanad Parliamentary constituency in Kerala, besides Amethi Parliamentary seat in Uttar Pradesh. “There appears to be a contradiction between the publicly stated strategy of the Congress to get rid of the Modi Government and its intentions,” Rai said.
“Instead of concentrating on removing the dictatorial and anti-federal regime, the Congress seems to be dividing votes where the anti-BJP forces are strong. Look at what the Congress is doing in UP, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh” the AAP leader said.
“In India’s electoral history, many leaders have contested from two Lok Sabha seats and it is the decision of a party and its leadership. However as now priority of all non-BJP parties is to get rid of “Hitler” type dictatorial regime of Narendra Modi Government, the decision to contest election from Wayanad is surprising,” he said.
He also questioned of the Congress intention to get rid of the BJP Government saying that the Congress has publicly announced its strategy of getting rid of Modi government but instead of focusing to wipe out “dictatorial and anti-federal regime”, the Congress seems to be dividing votes where anti-BJP forces are strong.
“Now by going to Kerala, where the Left Front is strong and the BJP has no presence, what signal is the Congress giving? Why not some other states like Karnataka or Tamil Nadu,” Rai asked.
Instead of concentrating on states where there is a direct BJP-Congress fight, the Congress is attacking regions which have presence of strong anti-BJP forces, he added.
“Even in Delhi, the Congress has been in a state of confusion since the last three months and is unable to decide whether it wants to defeat the BJP or not,” he said. “Anti-BJP parties are unable to understand what the Congress wants to achieve. Is the Congress serious about removing a dictatorial regime?” Rai said.