The Aam Aadmi Party appeared to strike a reconciliatory note with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, invoking ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’. The remarks come mere days after a massive Opposition meet that was attended by leaders from both parties. The AAP and Congress are also embroiled in an ongoing tussle over the Centre’s Ordinance seeking to diminish the powers of the Arvind Kejriwal government.
“I always see that Rahul Gandhi talks about love and says that Bharatiya Janata Party spreads hate. So if Rahul Gandhi is running ‘Mohabbat ki Dukan’, then whosoever reaches out to him, can get that love,” he said.
“When he (Rahul) said that his party spreads love, then he has to show this also. “Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party is not in power at the Centre. So there should be no question of ego. But he may turn egoistic, once the grand old party returns to power in the next Lok Sabha election,” the APP leader added.
The Centre had earlier brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the ‘transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters’. This amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act and circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case on the control of services.
The ordinance will be brought into the Parliament during the monsoon season. AAP is counting on the other party’s support in the upper house of the parliament where the BJP does not have the majority. The Congress has the highest number of MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has already met various opposition leaders to seek their support. During the recent Opposition meeting, the party had also indicated that it’s support for the group would hinge on the Congress’ handling of the matter.
Meanwhile the Congress has lashed out the the AAP in no uncertain terms, with senior party leader Ajay Maken asserting that the Kejriwal-led group was ‘only looking to break Opposition unity’.
“On one side, AAP is seeking Congress’ support; on the other, they are speaking against the party. What do they want by doing this, do they want to take our support or make distance from the party (Congress)…The thing is very clear that Arvind Kejriwal does not want to go to jail so he is with BJP,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Updated: 25 Jun 2023, 04:09 PM IST