The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been on a nationwide tour to garner support against a recent ordinance issued by the central government. The ordinance aimed to negate a Supreme Court verdict that favored the AAP-led Delhi government and took control of Delhi’s bureaucracy away from the elected government. While Kejriwal has been successful in gathering support from various regional parties, the Congress, the largest opposition party in the country, has been hesitant to take a stand on the issue.
The animosity towards the AAP within the Congress can be attributed to the fact that the AAP has steadily eroded the support base of the Congress party over the years. This erosion of support is evident in the electoral growth of the AAP since its inception.
Looking at four charts that depict the electoral growth of the AAP, it becomes clear where the party has made significant gains since its formation. These gains have primarily come at the expense of the Congress party.
- Delhi: The AAP’s stronghold has always been Delhi, where it formed the government in 2013 and won a historic landslide victory in 2015, securing 67 out of 70 seats. The party’s success in Delhi has directly impacted the Congress, which was once a dominant force in the region. The AAP’s rise has led to a decline in Congress’ electoral fortunes in the national capital.
- Punjab: The AAP made significant inroads in Punjab during the 2017 assembly elections, winning 20 out of 117 seats and emerging as the main opposition party. This electoral success came at the expense of the Congress, which was expecting a comeback in the state but fell short due to the AAP’s surge.
- Goa: In the 2017 Goa assembly elections, the AAP emerged as a major player, winning a considerable vote share and securing the second-largest vote percentage. This affected the Congress’ chances of forming the government, as the AAP split the anti-incumbency vote, ultimately leading to the BJP retaining power.
- Haryana: The AAP has also gained ground in Haryana, where it won one seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party’s presence in the state has posed a challenge to the Congress, which has struggled to maintain its traditional support base.
The electoral growth of the AAP in these regions has created a sense of competition and rivalry between the party and the Congress. The Congress leaders from various state units expressing animosity towards supporting the AAP on the issue of the ordinance can be seen as a reflection of this rivalry, as they perceive the AAP as a direct threat to their political prospects.
Overall, the AAP’s electoral gains in Delhi, Punjab, Goa, and Haryana have undermined the Congress’ position in these regions, leading to the animosity and hesitance within the party to align with the AAP on contentious issues.
