New Delhi, July 16, 2023: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has convened a crucial meeting of its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at 4 pm today, as tensions escalate between the AAP and Congress over the issue of the Delhi ordinance. The meeting comes just ahead of the Opposition meeting scheduled for July 17-18 in Bengaluru.
Sources indicate that the AAP leadership is dissatisfied with the Congress’s stance on the Delhi ordinance, which curtailed the government’s powers over bureaucrats. While the Congress expressed its intention to oppose any “assaults” on the responsibilities of democratically elected state governments, it has not publicly supported the AAP on the specific issue of the Delhi ordinance. However, it is likely to lend its support to the AAP on this matter during parliamentary discussions.
As per sources, the AAP may consider boycotting the Opposition meet if the Congress fails to extend its support. The PAC, serving as the highest decision-making body of the AAP, will make the final decision during today’s meeting.
The Opposition meeting in Bengaluru has invited leaders of 24 like-minded parties, following the participation of 15 parties in the first edition of the meeting held in Patna last month. During the Patna meeting, the Opposition parties resolved to unite against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, recent fissures emerged when the AAP asserted its difficulty in participating in future gatherings until the Congress publicly supports the AAP on the ordinance issue. The AAP had sought clarity from the Congress on its stance regarding the Centre’s ordinance to pave the way for the AAP’s participation in the Bengaluru meeting and other such future conclaves.
As the political landscape undergoes significant developments, the outcome of the AAP’s PAC meeting today holds crucial implications for the dynamics of the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru.
