What the Congress-AAP Alliance Means for India's Political Landscape

The recent alliance between the Congress & the AAP is a significant development with regard to opposition politics.

In the current political landscape, the AAP and Congress have charted their course for the upcoming elections.

(Photo: Garima Sadhwani/The Quint)

The recent alliance between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, and Haryana marks a significant development in the country's political landscape, most importantly in terms of opposition politics and the INDIA bloc.

While it presents a strategic advantage for both parties in their bid to dethrone the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the pact also faces challenges that could hinder its long-term success. Coalition politics is always very strategic in nature. Recently, the Samajwadi party has also finalized a seat-sharing pact with Congress, but more than that, the decision of Arvind Kejriwal to go with Congress is significant.

This is because, with the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party, it happened to fight against the corruption of the Congress party. The entire India Against Corruption movement was focused on the corruption of the Congress.

Delhi to Assam: Where Does the AAP-Congress Alliance Stand?

In the current political landscape, the AAP and Congress have charted their course for the upcoming elections. Arvind Kejriwal's AAP is set to contest seats in Delhi, with the Congress aiming for three. Gujarat witnesses Congress actively participating in 24 seats, leaving AAP with a limited two-seat battleground. In Haryana, the pact allocates one seat to the AAP and nine to the Congress.

Both parties refrain from electoral contention in Goa and Chandigarh, ceding the ground to Congress. Punjab, however, remains devoid of any alliance as the AAP and Congress independently navigate the political arena.

In Assam, negotiations persist as the AAP seeks three seats from Congress, despite having already unveiled the names of its three candidates. With Assam boasting 14 Lok Sabha seats, AAP proposes a return favor, requesting Congress to contest 11 seats in gratitude for AAP's concession of three seats (two in Goa and one in Chandigarh). This intricate dance of political strategy reflects the nuanced alliances and negotiations shaping the electoral landscape in these diverse states.

Strengths

The recent alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress heralds a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly in key battlegrounds like Delhi. While alliances in Indian politics often evoke skepticism, this partnership showcases several strengths that could reshape the electoral dynamics.

For the Congress, the alliance presents a long-awaited opportunity to regain lost ground in Delhi. With AAP's formidable support, Congress now stands a chance to secure parliamentary seats in the national capital, a feat that has eluded them for many years. The prospect is bolstered by Congress's substantial vote share in Delhi, coupled with AAP's growing influence, which lays a promising foundation for electoral success.

On the other hand, AAP's decision to join forces with Congress underscores its commitment to a broader anti-BJP front. Despite apparent concessions in Delhi, the AAP remains steadfast in its mission to thwart the BJP's dominance, even amidst potential challenges like leadership crises or legal entanglements.

Moreover, the alliance grants AAP a strategic foothold in crucial states like Haryana and Gujarat, where Congress's backing could prove pivotal in securing parliamentary representation. In Assam as well, if the alliance takes shape, then it is an advantage for AAP.

It is imperative to acknowledge that AAP at this stage, when key leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in jail, did not have the bandwith to fight alone and win seats in Haryana, Gujarat, or Assam. The AAP does not even have a single MLA in Haryana and Assam. 

Crucially, the strength of this alliance lies in the magnanimity displayed by both parties. AAP's willingness to cede parliamentary seats in Delhi, despite its entrenched position, demonstrates a spirit of cooperation rarely seen in Indian politics. Similarly, Congress's decision to relinquish strongholds like Bharuch in Gujarat signifies a pragmatic embrace of alliance politics, prioritizing broader opposition unity over individual interests.

Weaknesses

While the AAP-Congress alliance presents a formidable front against the BJP, it is not without its inherent weaknesses, chiefly stemming from deep ideological disparities between the two parties. This pragmatic coalition, driven more by electoral calculus than shared principles, could face hurdles in maintaining cohesion and unity of purpose.

Of particular concern is the potential clash of egos and power dynamics, with Arvind Kejriwal's AAP potentially feeling marginalized by the entrenched influence of the Gandhi family within Congress ranks. Such dynamics risk straining the delicate balance of the alliance, leading to internal discord and fragmentation.

Moreover, grassroots opposition within both parties underscores the fissures within the alliance. Discontent among Delhi Pradesh Congress and Gujarat leaders highlights the challenge of reconciling divergent interests and agendas within the broader opposition coalition.

While the alliance may be united in its singular goal of defeating the BJP, it cannot overlook the fundamental ideological disparities between the AAP and Congress. The uneasy union between these two ideologically distinct entities raises questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of their partnership in the long run. 

Opportunites

The AAP-Congress alliance represents more than just a strategic political maneuver; it embodies a beacon of hope for the opposition bloc in India. This collaboration opens doors to new electoral territories for both parties, transcending their traditional strongholds and expanding their reach across the nation.

By pooling their resources and expertise, Congress and AAP can synergize their efforts in policy-making and governance, leveraging each other's strengths for the collective good. This unity sends a powerful message of solidarity to other potential allies within the opposition fold, fostering a climate of cooperation and shared purpose. The reported resumption of seat-sharing discussions with leaders like Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress indicates a broader momentum towards opposition unity, bolstered by this alliance.

Moreover, the pact breathes new life into the INDIA bloc, amidst rumblings of dissent and accusations of highhandedness within the opposition ranks. At a time when credibility in opposition politics is under scrutiny, this alliance reaffirms the commitment to a common goal: defeating the BJP. It is important to acknowledge that if the alliance can win a good number of seats in Delhi, then it will be a setback for the BJP as they will lose every kind of control over the national capital of India, which the BJP will never want. 

Strategically, the alliance also serves as a shield for AAP against potential disruptions. In the event of arrests or political turmoil, the support and solidarity of Congress and other allies can provide much-needed stability and resilience. This ensures continuity in AAP's campaign efforts, even in challenging circumstances.

As the political landscape evolves, the AAP-Congress alliance stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and pragmatism in pursuit of shared objectives. It is a moment of opportunity where unity trumps division and collective action paves the way for a stronger, more vibrant democracy.

Threats

Every coalition harbors expectations for the future, but the ideological chasm between the Congress and AAP begs the question of sustainability post-election. The looming challenge lies in maintaining this fragile alliance, especially with Vidhan Sabha elections on the horizon. With Delhi and Haryana assembly polls looming, Kejriwal's declaration of AAP's solo venture in Haryana sets the stage for potential rifts.

As the Congress-AAP alliance consolidates, the BJP prepares to counter with calculated moves to safeguard its stronghold. Anticipated tactics may involve aggressive maneuvers, including targeting AAP leadership with swift legal actions, aiming to disrupt the alliance's stride and sow internal discord. Exploiting any hint of disunity within the alliance becomes a focal point for political rivals, particularly the BJP, seeking to erode their electoral prospects.

Furthermore, the BJP is poised to craft a narrative casting the alliance as a compromise of integrity, leveraging allegations of corruption against AAP leaders. By accentuating legal woes of select AAP figures, the BJP aims to discredit the coalition and sway public sentiment. As the political arena intensifies, the Congress-AAP alliance must brace for an onslaught of challenges orchestrated by the BJP, requiring strategic unity and resilience to emerge triumphant.

[The author teaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata, and is a columnist (He tweets at @sayantan_gh.) This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.]