NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has reportedly issued a threat to boycott an important opposition meeting scheduled for tomorrow if the Congress party fails to support its campaign against a controversial ordinance introduced by the central government. The ordinance aims to redefine the administrative services in Delhi, which has become a subject of contention. The AAP's decision to potentially skip the meeting poses a risk to the efforts of India's fragmented opposition to unite and strategize for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Sources from the AAP emphasized the need for Congress' backing on the Delhi ordinance issue and stated that they would abstain from the opposition meeting and future gatherings if the support was not forthcoming. The ordinance, which was presented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government last month, intends to exert control over bureaucrats in Delhi.
The AAP has vehemently criticized this move, arguing that it undermines a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order, and land, to the elected government. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed optimism earlier this week, hoping that the Congress party would clarify its stance on the ordinance during the opposition meeting on Friday. Kejriwal has been actively reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties, seeking their support in opposing the ordinance and preventing its passage as law through parliament.
While several regional parties opposed to the BJP have expressed support for the campaign against the ordinance, the Congress party has been hesitant to fully engage. Sandeep Dikshit, a Congress leader known for his opposition to the AAP, responded to the AAP's ultimatum by taunting Kejriwal, stating that no one would miss him and insinuating that Kejriwal was searching for excuses to avoid the meeting. Dikshit emphasized that the meeting was not meant for those who make deals.
The upcoming meeting, organized by Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Janata Dal (United) party, is expected to shape the opposition's collective strategy for the forthcoming elections. Kejriwal stressed the need for the Congress party to clarify its position, as other political parties attending the meeting would likely inquire about it.
The AAP has threatened to boycott the opposition meeting unless the Congress party supports its campaign against the controversial Delhi ordinance. The ordinance, introduced by the BJP-led government, aims to redefine administrative services in Delhi and has faced criticism from the AAP. The meeting is crucial for opposition parties to devise a joint strategy for the upcoming elections, and the AAP's potential absence could hinder these efforts.
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