AAP distances itself from Oppn as it aims to replace the BJP

By Ganesh BhattNew Delhi, July 2 : After forming governments in Delhi and Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) now aims at expanding its political base in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Assembly elections.

It does not want to limit its political ambitions to north India but is working towards making inroads in other states like Gujarat and Karnataka.

This is the reason that despite projecting itself as the main opposition to the ruling BJP-led Central government, AAP is often seen avoiding sharing the dias with opposition parties.An example of AAP avoiding other opposition parties could be seen at a recent joint opposition party meeting held to deliberate over the upcoming presidential election.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called this joint meeting of opposition parties in connection with the upcoming presidential election.However, the AAP gave the meeting a skip, which according to some parties, indicates a rift within the opposition parties.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has dealt a severe blow to the opposition unity by not participating in this crucial meeting.He has clearly ruled out any grand opposition alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, adding that his only alliance is "with 130 crore Indians".

Earlier, during a public programme, Kejriwal had said that he has never understood the concept of "multi-party" alliance.Especially regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he says: "I am not interested in forming any alliance as I do not know how to do politics.I do not wish to defeat anyone and only want the country to win."During a meeting held in Nagpur recently regarding forming alliance with other like-minded parties, the Delhi Chief MInister said: "Many people ask me that which party will I form an alliance with at the national level? I want to forge an alliance with 130 crore people in the country so that India can become the number one country in the world."The AAP remained absent even during the filing of nomination for upcoming presidential poll by TMC leader Yashwant Sinha, who is the joint opposition candidate for the post of President.

On June 27, when Yashwant Sinha filed his nomination, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, including 16 opposition party leaders, were present.Earlier in 2021, the AAP did not participate in a meeting convened by the Congress on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

However, apart from the AAP, BSP leader Mayawati and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee also did not attend this meeting.The Congress had invited all like-minded parties for a meeting to chalk out a common strategy amid protests across the country against the CAA.gcb/khz/shb/ #Oppn #replace #Delhi #Akhilesh Yadav #Arvind Kejriwal # Mamata Banerjee # Mayawati # Rahul Gandhi # Sharad Pawar # Yashwant Sinha #Ganesh #Banerjee #Delhi #New Delhi #Gujarat #Himachal Pradesh #Nagpur #Punjab #West Bengal #Arvind #Congress #Aam Aadmi Party #Aam Aadmi.