The Aam Aadmi Party or AAP has made a strategic decision to abstain from contesting the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat in an effort to prevent the division of Opposition votes. This move challenges the Congress to reciprocate by withdrawing its candidates from Dibrugarh and Sonitpur constituencies.
Irked over the Congress party’s unilateral decision to release its list of candidates for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Assam on March 12, the AAP highlighted the need for a united Opposition front to counter the ruling party effectively.
The AAP expressed dismay over the inclusion of Guwahati, Sonitpur, and Dibrugarh constituencies in the Congress’ candidate list, despite these seats being designated to AAP candidates a month prior. This move by the Congress was perceived as a setback for alliance politics in the State.
Emphasizing its commitment to Opposition unity, the AAP pointed out the sacrifices it had made in terms of seat-sharing in few States like Delhi, Goa and Gujarat. However, the party accused the Congress of undermining this unity in Assam by fielding candidates in constituencies already allocated to AAP candidates.
The AAP highlighted instances of pressure exerted by certain Congress leaders on AAP candidates, suggesting a lack of suitable candidates from the Grand Old party itself.
In response to these challenges and in a bid to maintain alliance coherence, the AAP has decided not to contest the Guwahati seat. It has warned Congress that failure to heed this challenge would expose its complicity in facilitating BJP victories in Dibrugarh and Sonitpur constituencies.
