Leaders of Congress, CPI(M), and IUML express disappointment over fractured opposition to face BJP
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – In the wake of AAP’s devastating defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, opposition leaders have begun to voice their concerns over the missed opportunity for unity. Many claim that if Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had joined forces, the electoral outcome could have been drastically different.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, a key ally of the AAP-led alliance, expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation between the Congress and AAP. He firmly believed that the two parties should have united, given that their common political rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has dominated Delhi politics for over 26 years.
Raut said, “If the Congress and AAP had come together, the result could have been different… The political rival of AAP and Congress is the BJP. Both fought to stop the BJP from coming to power, but they fought separately. Had they been together, BJP’s defeat would have been decided in the first hour (of counting).”
Meanwhile, as the BJP prepares to take charge of the Delhi government for the first time in over two decades, the CPI(M) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) voiced their discontent, accusing internal divisions within the India Bloc of paving the way for the BJP’s triumph.
The CPI(M) launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing it of indirectly aiding the BJP’s success. “This defeat is largely due to the disarray within the India Bloc,” a CPI(M) spokesperson said. “It’s clear that had the secular parties worked together, the BJP would not have had this level of success.”
The IUML, while not directly criticising Congress, echoed these sentiments. A senior IUML leader noted, “If the India Bloc had fought as a united front against the BJP, we could have successfully halted their momentum. This fragmented approach has cost us dearly.”
The blame for the breakdown in unity within the opposition was also laid at the doorstep of Congress by CPI leader D Raja. He pointed out, “This is due to differences between secular democratic parties, India Bloc parties… Especially the Congress party should do serious introspection on how to strengthen the India Bloc in the coming days.”
Raja’s remarks came amidst an increasing sense of frustration within the opposition ranks over the electoral fallout. While the India Bloc had touted itself as the alternative to the BJP, the failure to coordinate strategies meant a divided front, one that ultimately played into the BJP’s hands.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Omar Abdullah also weighed in on the situation, using social media to take a jibe at the continuing infighting within opposition ranks. In a sardonic post on Instagram, he said, “Fight more among yourselves!!!”
This comment added fuel to the already heightened tensions between Congress, AAP, and their allies. Abdullah had previously raised doubts about the credibility and effectiveness of the India Bloc in opposing the BJP.
Despite failing to win a seat in the Delhi Assembly, the Congress party has sought to shift the narrative surrounding the election results. Instead of acknowledging the Congress’ own poor performance, party leaders have painted the outcome as a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP’s leadership.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggested that the election results had more to do with the failure of AAP’s governance than any endorsement of BJP policies. “The results of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections are nothing more than a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party,” he said. “Even when Prime Minister Modi was at the peak of his popularity in 2015 and 2020, AAP managed to secure decisive victories. This time, however, the people have rejected Kejriwal’s politics of deceit and exaggerated claims of achievements.”
Ramesh further asserted, “Congress has played a major role in exposing the numerous scams during Kejriwal’s tenure. The voters of Delhi have given their verdict on twelve years of AAP’s misrule.”
Despite these claims, Congress remains optimistic about its future prospects in the city. Ramesh added, “Although we did not win the assembly elections, our vote share has increased, and our campaign was strong. We will continue to work for the people, and Congress will form the next government in Delhi in 2030.”
n the face of their loss, AAP leadership, including party chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi, have acknowledged their defeat but vowed to continue their struggle against BJP dominance in the capital. Kejriwal expressed regret over the outcome but emphasised that AAP would continue to play a positive opposition role. He said, “We accept the mandate of the people of Delhi. This is the time of war, and our fight against BJP’s dictatorship and hooliganism will continue.”
Chief Minister Atishi, who fought hard in the Kalkaji constituency, thanked her supporters and promised that the battle against BJP would persist. “I thank the people of Kalkaji for showing faith in me. We will continue to fight against the muscle power, hooliganism, and violence that BJP represents,” she said.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the BJP’s win as a triumph of development and good governance. He took to social media to express his gratitude to the voters of Delhi, saying, “People’s power is supreme! Development has won, good governance has won. I bow to my dear brothers and sisters of Delhi for this wonderful and historic mandate given to the BJP.”
