Arvind Kejriwal and Ashok Gehlot
PTI Photos
New Delhi: Tension between the two I.N.D.I.A. allies in Delhi have intensified with former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saying AAP is Congress' 'opponent' and in delusion after winning twice. In response, Arvind Kejriwal hit back saying the Congress leader's "clarification" has confirmed that his party and BJP are 'fighting together'.
Gehlot's comments on Congress prospects came while answering a question from the media after unveiling Congress' guarantee 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana', promising health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh for all Delhiites for treatment.
"AAP is our opponent. They are in delusion after winning twice. I feel that the atmosphere in Delhi has changed. Congress is campaigning better. I am sure the result will come good," he told reporters.
Responding to Gehlot, AAP chief Kejriwal said, "you made it clear that AAP is the opposition to Congress in Delhi. You remained silent on BJP. 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 for this clarification," Kejriwal posted on 'X'.
This was not the first time Kejriwal had attacked Congress in recent times. He had made similar remarks last week when women from Punjab protested outside his residence seeking implementation of the promise of monthly allowance to women made during Punjab Assembly elections.
The relationship between the two parties had soured after senior leader Ajay Maken described Kejriwal as "anti-national". AAP had demanded action against Maken or else would lobby with other allies to "drop" Congress from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.
While the Delhi Congress leaders are vehemently opposed to the AAP, party's central leadership advocates a middle-path keeping the national political scene in mind. On its instruction, sources said, Maken's second press conference to "further explain" why Kejriwal was an anti-national was "postponed".