New Delhi:

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray is in Delhi to meet the top brass of the INDIA opposition bloc, which continues to lurch from one existential crisis to another – the latest being the BJP thumping the AAP in Delhi, and Sharad Pawar felicitating Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

On NCP boss Sharad Pawar’s actions, the junior Thackeray refused to be drawn, telling reporters, “I will not talk about (that)… it is our (the Sena faction now led by Uddhav Thackeray) to never honour a person like this (Mr Shinde) … (who) not only split our party but also Maharashtra’s spine…”

On the INDIA bloc picture, though, Mr Thackeray said he met the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi last night and will meet AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal later today. He then fired a warning about the “future of India” and tried to rally the grouping, accusing the BJP of plotting to “finish off… democracy”.

Mr Thackeray also raised red flags about election fraud and hacking of EVMs, or electronic voting machines, which the opposition claims – after every defeat – was orchestrated by the BJP.

“I met Rahul Gandhiji last night (and) today I will meet Arvind Kejriwalji. The future of our country is in doubt… today, we don’t know where our vote is going amid voter fraud and EVM fraud…”

“Are elections being held in a free-and-fair manner? We think we are living in a democracy… but it is no longer a democracy. What happened with us and Kejriwalji and the Congress… this could happen with Nitish (Kumar)ji, and Chandrababu Naiduji in the future…” he thundered.

The reference to Nitish Kumar was not lost; the Bihar Chief Minister helped found the INDIA bloc in 2023 before a dramatic jump (back) to the BJP’s camp 12 months later. He now faces a state election later this year, and there is speculation the INDIA bloc is trying to re-flip the JDU boss.

ARCHIVES | INDIA Bloc In Pieces? Amid Turmoil, Architect Nitish Kumar Exits

Mr Thackeray’s reference to Nitish – that the BJP may stack the odds to ensure its ‘ally’ loses the majority, or at least the upper hand, in their relationship, is being seen by many in this light.

Formed in June 2023 to unite opposition parties against the BJP, the INDIA bloc has flattered to impress, with only a few scattered Assembly election wins to show for its efforts.

The bloc has come under criticism – internal and external – with the bulk reserved for the Congress and its apparent inability to work with smaller parties on issues like seat-sharing before elections.

The defeat in Haryana and the BJP’s Delhi triumph have both been held up as examples of the Congress not ‘playing nice’. The Congress, however, hit back firmly; after the AAP’s Delhi defeat, party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said making other parties win is not the Congress’ responsibility.

However, questions over the INDIA bloc’s future are not new; the group’s functioning was also discussed after the 2023 Madhya Pradesh election that the BJP won comfortably.

Then too there was criticism of the Congress, at which time two key group members – Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool and Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party – delivered rebukes. Since then there has also been talk of a leadership change, with Ms Banerjee the apparent consensus pick.

Mr Thackeray, though, firmly ruled out any talk of the bloc crumbling or a leadership shuffle, stating, “There are many seniors who will prepare a roadmap. The INDIA bloc has joint leadership… there is no one leader. This is not a fight of egos but for the future of the country.”

The bloc’s next big challenge (assuming it stays together till then) is the Bihar election.

With input from agencies

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a public meeting ahead of Assembly polls, in New Delhi
| Photo Credit: X/@AmitShah

Addressing a rally in north-east Delhi’s Mustafabad on Saturday, Union Minister Amit Shah hailed the Union Budget, saying it has brought smiles to the Purvanchali community and the middle class.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Purvanchalis happy through this Budget. Modiji has provided schemes worth crores for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. He has freed the middle class from paying tax if they earn up to ₹12 lakh annually,” he said.

Purvanchalis, a term for residents of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and those who hail from there in the Capital, comprise one of the largest voter bases in the city. They are expected to play an important role in the February 5 Delhi Assembly election.

Addressing hundreds of party supporters, Mr. Shah said, “All gig workers will now register on the e-Shram portal. You will get free treatment. Modiji has made such an arrangement.” He was referring to the social security scheme for gig workers announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech.

Mr. Shah was among the several national BJP leaders who held rallies in the city to boost the campaign of the BJP, which is looking to return to power in Delhi after 27 years. Other senior leaders who held rallies included party president J.P. Nadda, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Chief Ministers of U.P., Haryana, and Assam.

Mr. Modi is also set to address his fifth and final rally in the city on Sunday.

Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of engaging in corruption and sheltering illegal immigrants, the Home Minister said there is a “big wave” against AAP. He accused the party of running a “3G” government — “ghaphla, ghuspaithiyon ko panah, aur ghotala (corruption, sheltering illegal immigrants, scams)”.

The BJP leader also appealed to voters to ensure that “those responsible for the riots [in north-east Delhi in February 2020] are not elected again”.

New Delhi:

A large amount of cash and liquor have been seized from a car with a “Punjab government” sticker in election-bound Delhi, police said yesterday, adding that AAP pamphlets were also found in the car. The BJP soon launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party, after which the Punjab government clarified the car had a fake registration plate – that the seized vehicle was different from the registered model.

Sharing details about the seizure, Delhi Police said the vehicle was parked outside Punjab Bhawan on Copernicus Marg. When searched, the cops said they found wads of cash amounting to Rs 8 lakh, liquor bottles with Punjab stamps, and AAP pamphlets inside the car.

As per the model code of conduct in force in Delhi ahead of the polls, people are barred from carrying more than Rs 50,000 in cash.

A case has been registered at the Tilak Marg police station.

The Punjab government said in a statement that as per the official record, the car was registered in the name of Maj. Anubhav Shivpuri, who was posted at the Army Dental College, Pathankot, three years ago. He is a permanent resident of Khadki in Maharashtra, it said.

Moreover, the vehicle registered with the number PB35AE1342 – as seen in visuals of the seized car – was a Ford Eco Sport, but the car seized by Delhi Police belongs to the Hyundai Creta series, said the statement. “This confirms that the vehicle’s number plate is forged and fake,” said the Punjab government, clarifying that no such car is owned or hired by them.

Expressing shock over the incident, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said he can’t recall such a huge recovery of cash and liquor in his 35 years of public life. “Till now, we thought Arvind Kejriwal institutionalised corruption in Delhi government, polluted Yamuna and Delhi’s air but today we understand that he has polluted Delhi’s political system too,” said the BJP leader.

The matter was “totally fake and laughable”, the AAP hit back, stating that the number plate belonged to a different car model than the one seized by the cops. There is no entry record of the car at the Punjab Bhawan, the ruling party added.

“Conveniently (the car was) parked with no driver in sight. Owner details trace back to someone from Pathankot, now in Punjabi Bagh, but originally from Pune. A planted stunt poorly executed and utterly bogus,” said an AAP statement.

AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar said the BJP was making ridiculous and false allegations, and they should stop such activities.

New Delhi:

Ahead of Delhi Assembly polls, several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of state president Virendraa Sachdeva on Sunday.

Kapil Naagar, who had contested elections twice from Kamla Nagar ward of Model Town Legislative Assembly, joined the BJP. Along with him, more than 100 workers of Aam Aadmi Party also joined the BJP.

Meanwhile, several AAP workers joined the BJP in the presence of BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, who is a BJP candidate from the Kalkaji assembly for the Delhi assembly polls.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Bidhuri said, “I would like to thank all of you for being a part of PM Modi ji’s family. There is nothing more fortunate than this for us. Modi ji says only one thing. Everyone’s support, everyone’s development, everyone’s faith, everyone’s effort. You will all have to make an effort. In 2047, India will be recognized as a developed nation.”

Mr Bidhuri also lashed out against Chief Minister Atishi, saying that she is canvassing for votes after allegedly neglecting them for four and half years.

Mr Bidhuri told ANI, “People are facing a very difficult situation. Streets and roads are in shambles. The sewerage system is malfunctioning. You can’t enter the house without mud stuck to your shoes. Drinking water is contaminated.”

Mr Bidhuri is contesting against CM Atishi from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency.

Delhi will go to the polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8

.A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat.

AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got eight seats.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Congress Tuesday released a list of 15 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, fielding former Union minister Krishna Tirath from Patel Nagar and councillor Ariba Khan from Okhla.

The party also replaced its candidate in the Gokalpur (SC) constituency, fielding Ishwar Bagri in place of Pramod Kumar Jayant.

With this list, the Congress has declared a total of 63 candidates for the elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

Besides Tirath and Khan, the Congress’ latest list includes Dharam Pal Lakda from Mundka, Rajesh Gupta from Kirari, Kunwar Karan Singh from Model Town, Prem Sharma from Hari Nagar, Harbani Kaur from Janakpuri and Mange Ram from Palam.

The Congress, earlier this month, released a single-name list, fielding Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba from Kalkaji to take on Chief Minister Atishi.

On December 24, the party released its second list of 26 candidates. The party had released its first list of 21 candidates earlier in December, fielding ex-MP Sandeep Dikshit from New Delhi, setting up a contest between him and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

AAP delegation met the Commission on Thursday.

New Delhi:

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has said that the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party have announced support to his party in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.

Mr Kejriwal, who is the former Chief Minister of Delhi, also hit out at the Congress for “partnering” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) discreetly. 

All the four parties – AAP, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Congress – are partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and had jointly fought the Lok Sabha elections last year. 

In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr Kejriwal said he is “personally grateful” to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Chairperson of the Trinamool Congress, for extending her support. 

“TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamata Didi. Thank you Didi. You have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times,” the former Delhi Chief Minister said.

TMC has announced support to AAP in Delhi elections. I am personally grateful to Mamta Didi. Thank you Didi. U have always supported and blessed us in our good and bad times.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 8, 2025

Minutes later, Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien responded to Mr Kejriwal’s post, saying: “We have your back @AamAadmiParty.” 

On Tuesday night, Mr Kejriwal extended his gratitude to Samajwadi President President Akhilesh Yadav for his party’s support to the AAP in next month’s polls. “Thank you very much Akhilesh ji. You always support and stand with us. I and the people of Delhi are grateful for this,” he wrote in Hindi on the micro-blogging platform, as he shared a news report claiming that the SP will support the AAP in the polls.

There was no public statement or announcement either from Mr Yadav or the Samajwadi Party on the matter but sources said that he expressed his intent to support the AAP, after a press conference on Tuesday.

बहुत बहुत शुक्रिया अखिलेश जी। आपका हमेशा हमें सपोर्ट और साथ रहता है। इसके लिए मैं और दिल्ली की जनता आभारी हैं। https://t.co/as58s2ksDt

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 7, 2025

The Trinamool and the Samajwadi Party had thrown their weight behind the AAP in the 2020 Delhi assembly elections as well. 

Mr O’Brien had uploaded, on X, a video endorsing not just Mr Kejriwal as Chief Minister but all AAP candidates.

As the AAP swept the 2020 elections, Mr Yadav congratulated Mr Kejriwal on the big win. 

Meanwhile, Mr Kejriwal hit out at the Congress after its leader, Ashok Gehlot claimed that AAP leaders are delusional about its victory in the next month’s polls.

“They are our opposition. It’s their misconception that just because they have won the previous two elections, they will repeat their performance this time. The Congress is campaigning well and we know that the results will be good this time,” Mr Gehlot said. 

Hitting back, Mr Kejriwal said the Congress has made it clear that the “AAP is its opposition in Delhi”. “People also felt that AAP is the opposition for Congress and BJP is its partner. People also believed that BJP and Congress are fighting the elections together against AAP. Till now this cooperation between you two was secret. Today you have made it public. Thank you on behalf of the people of Delhi,” the AAP National Convenor wrote on X. 

Both the AAP and the Congress have been locked in an intense battle, over various issues, for quite some time. Though the two parties fought the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Delhi under the INDIA bloc, they are fighting the assembly elections separately. 

The two parties had blamed one another for the poll debacle in the Capital during the parliamentary elections.

Last month, Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken’s remarks that a tie-up with the AAP during the Lok Sabha polls was a “mistake” further worsened relations between the allies. The AAP said it will ask other members of the INDIA bloc to remove the Congress from the alliance, if the latter does not act against Mr Maken for his remarks.

Voting for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8.

The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats.

The dates of Assembly polls in Delhi will be announced at 2 pm today, the Election Commission has said. The tenure of the 7th Delhi Assembly ends on February 15 and members of the next Assembly must be elected by then.

While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is pushing hard for a third consecutive term, the Opposition BJP has gone all out to turn the tables. Also in the fight is the Congress, which is going alone and targeting both the BJP and the AAP — its ally during the Lok Sabha polls.

AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as Chief Minister after he was granted bail in a corruption case, is leading the party’s campaign. The 56-year-old leader has said he would return to the top job only after the “people’s court” verdict. Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also said he would take up a role in the cabinet after the “people’s verdict”. Mr Kejriwal, Mr Sisodia, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and former Delhi minister Satyendra Jain were arrested by central agencies in corruption cases. The party has termed it vendetta politics and accused the BJP of using probe agencies for political goals.

The ruling AAP is showcasing its work in education and health to seek votes. It has also made several promises, including assistance of Rs 2,100 to women and free treatment for the elderly.

The BJP, on the other hand, has accused AAP of corruption and mismanagement of the capital’s affairs. Alleging large-scale corruption by Mr Kejriwal in renovating the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, the party has claimed that AAP is headed for a big defeat.