AAP bunks I.N.D.I.A bloc in Punjab, gears up to campaign for 2024 LS polls

The Aam Aadmi Party is set to blow the 2024 Lok Sabha poll bugle in Punjab, commencing with a rally in Amritsar on September 13. The event will feature Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, his Punjab counterpart CM Bhagwant Mann and other party leaders.

Contrary to the I.N.D.I.A bloc's aspirations, AAP's strategy entails competing for all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, sources said. Simultaneously, the Punjab Congress leadership has unequivocally declared their intention to contest all seats in the state.

The seat-sharing formula among the I.N.D.I.A parties for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls was scheduled for discussion at its coordination committee meeting, to be held on September 13 at Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar's residence.

Rift grows deeper in I.N.D.I.A? 

Even before the seat-sharing discussion, the AAP and Congress have locked horns for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Punjab. Announcing AAP's intent to contest all seats in Punjab, state cabinet minister Anmol Gagan Maan earlier said, "The AAP will not tie up with the Congress in Punjab and contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming general elections." 

Putting rest to all speculations, the Punjab Congress leadership also declared to contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. Addressing concerns of party workers, Leader of the Opposition Partap Bajwa, earlier said, “Party workers are not ready to have a truck with the Aam Aadmi Party. The party will contest all 13 parliamentary seats.”

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring confirmed that the party's top leadership has granted approval for preparations in all 13 seats. During party discussions, a unanimous agreement emerged to compete in all constituencies, which was subsequently conveyed to the party's central leadership, he added. 

The I.N.D.I.A bloc consisting of Congress, AAP and other parties was forged to wrest power from the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. After their Patna and Bengaluru meet, the alliance of 26 parties convened for a third meet in Mumbai on August 31. As the 2024 polls draw closer, the consensus among the I.N.D.I.A parties seems to be parting away. 

The I.N.D.I.A bloc, comprising Congress, AAP, and other parties, was formed with the goal of unseating the ruling BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Following their meetings in Patna and Bengaluru, the alliance of 26 parties convened for a third gathering in Mumbai on August 31. As the 2024 polls approach, signs of divergence are becoming more apparent within the newly formed opposition alliance.