Omar Abdullah mocks Congress-AAP in Delhi polls, says 'Aur Lado' as BJP leads in early trends

New Delhi:

The ongoing rift between Congress and AAP could prove to be the key factor that determines the outcome of this election, especially as both parties struggle to consolidate their support base in the face of BJP's rising momentum.

BJP takes Early Lead in Delhi, while Congress-AAP clash Intensifies 

As the early trends for the Delhi Assembly elections 2025 began to unfold, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged ahead, securing 40 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trailed with 30 seats. Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wasted no time in mocking the infighting within the opposition camp, particularly between Congress and AAP. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Abdullah shared a GIF with the text, "Aur lado, jee bhar ke lado, samapt kar do ek dusre ko" (fight some more, fight to your heart’s content, finish each other off).

Aur lado aapas mein!!! https://t.co/f3wbM1DYxk pic.twitter.com/8Yu9WK4k0c

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 8, 2025

Omar Abdullah's sarcasm reflects rising tensions in opposition  

Abdullah’s mocking comments were aimed at the ongoing rift between Congress and AAP, both of whom have decided to contest the Delhi Assembly elections separately, despite being allies in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Their campaigns have seen fierce attacks on each other, with accusations that one party is acting as the ‘B-team’ for the BJP. The National Conference leader’s remark highlighted the political division within the opposition ranks, which could hurt their chances against the BJP.

The fallout of the INDIA alliance’s uncertainty

The infighting between Congress and AAP in Delhi follows a series of political setbacks for the opposition bloc, particularly the INDIA alliance, which has struggled to maintain cohesion. Despite Congress' participation in the alliance, it has been criticized for failing to put forward a unified strategy against the ruling BJP. Omar Abdullah had previously criticized the INDIA alliance, stating that it lacked clarity on its leadership and goals. He suggested that if the alliance was formed solely for the purpose of the Lok Sabha elections, it should be dissolved.

Abdullah’s remarks came after Congress suffered a major loss in Haryana, where it was expected to perform better in the face of anti-incumbency against the BJP. AAP's presence in the race was seen as one of the factors contributing to Congress' underperformance, as it failed to secure a significant number of seats, ultimately winning only 37 out of 90. 

Rising discontent within the opposition

The Congress-AAP divide in Delhi is reflective of a larger trend of discontent within the opposition. In the wake of Congress’ loss in Haryana, internal fractures among opposition allies have deepened. The party’s alliances with Sharad Pawar’s NCP and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena were severely tested during the Maharashtra elections in November, further complicating the unity of the opposition bloc. Leaders like Mamata Banerjee have also expressed interest in taking the helm of the opposition, adding fuel to the already volatile situation.

Omar Abdullah had earlier remarked that the opposition’s leadership role should not be assumed by Congress just because it is the largest opposition party in Parliament. He cautioned the Congress against taking its leadership position for granted, stressing that it must demonstrate the necessary initiative and leadership qualities to justify its role in the alliance.

BJP's steady Rise: Will they secure Delhi after 27 years?

As the election results continue to unfold, the BJP’s early lead has sent shockwaves through the opposition camp. With 40 seats already in its grasp, the BJP is on track to secure a historic return to power in Delhi after a 27-year gap. The party has not won a majority in Delhi since 1993, and their strong performance so far has positioned them well to form the next government.

The AAP, despite its strong leadership under Arvind Kejriwal, faces a tough challenge to secure a fourth consecutive term. Early trends indicate that AAP's hold in key constituencies is being challenged by BJP’s aggressive campaign, which appears to be gaining traction among voters.

India's political landscape: A complex web of alliances and rivalries

The Delhi Assembly elections have once again highlighted the shifting dynamics of India's political landscape. The divide between Congress and AAP, as well as the rising internal disputes within the opposition, has raised questions about the future of the INDIA alliance. While the BJP maintains a strong foothold, the opposition parties continue to wrestle with leadership issues, ideological differences, and a lack of coordination.

The ongoing rift between Congress and AAP could prove to be the key factor that determines the outcome of this election, especially as both parties struggle to consolidate their support base in the face of BJP's rising momentum.