In a recent development, the alliance talks between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress in Punjab face a new hurdle as a fresh police case is registered against Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. The case, involving charges of criminal intimidation and threatening to give false evidence, comes on the heels of Khaira being granted bail in a 2015 drugs case. This incident could complicate the ongoing discussions between the two parties regarding a potential partnership for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Leaders within the Congress have expressed reservations about collaborating with the AAP, and Khaira’s arrest is seen by some as a “political witch-hunt against party leaders” orchestrated by the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. Congress MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, advocating for the alliance in the national interest, stands in contrast to the concerns raised by other party members.
Despite the optimism of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who recently expressed openness to an alliance, Khaira’s arrest adds strain to the relationship between the Congress and AAP. The congress alleges vendetta, with Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa denouncing the arrest as an attempt to suppress opposition voices. State Congress chief Amarinder Singh Warring accuses the Mann government of conducting a witch hunt against Congress leaders in Punjab, further complicating the alliance talks.
While AAP chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang maintains that the law will take its course, the political landscape in Punjab is becoming increasingly tense. The impact of Khaira’s arrest on the alliance talks remains uncertain, and the situation could potentially influence seat-sharing discussions as both parties gear up for the crucial polls in April-May.
The Congress leadership, including national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, recently met the party’s national alliance committee to discuss the alliance with the INDIA bloc. The committee’s report was approved, allowing talks with the INDIA bloc constituents to proceed.
Khaira’s political journey, marked by shifts between Congress and AAP, adds complexity to the situation. His arrest is viewed as a potential setback for the alliance talks, highlighting the challenges both parties face in reaching a consensus amidst internal dissent and external pressures.
As the political dynamics unfold in Punjab, the alliance talks between the Congress and AAP hang in the balance, raising questions about the feasibility of a united front in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.