Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Indian political scenario seems to be changing, with arch-rivals like the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) coming together. The burgeoning I-N-D-I-A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) consortium is stepping up against the seasoned National Democratic Alliance, promising an electoral showdown.

In an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day.com, Rajya Sabha MP and AAP leader Raghav Chadha sheds light on the alliance`s motivations and firmly states that neither AAP nor Delhi Chief Minister and party supremo Arvind Kejriwal are aspiring for the role of Prime Minister.

“Excited spokespersons of our party may have made some comments here or there but let me categorically and officially state that our multi-party is not in the race. Neither AAP nor Arvind Kejriwal is not in the race for Prime Ministership.”

 “We have joined the India alliance with only one motto and agenda — better India to free the country from the shackles of unemployment, price rise, and agrarian crisis. AAP has joined this alliance only as a loyal soldier,” Raghav Chadha shared.

I-N-D-I-A can defeat the BJP

 While talking about the I-N-D-I-A alliance, the AAP MP said the NDA has weakened and the Opposition alliance can easily defeat the NDA and BJP.

 “Arithmetically, purely based on numbers, if you compare 2014 and 2019 numbers you will find that the I-N-D-I-A bloc is a formidable player and cannot only challenge but defeat the NDA. NDA, which is the principal opponent of the I-N-D-I-A bloc, is a weakened outfit now. It is not the old NDA of JDU`s Nitish Kumar, N. Chandrababu Naidu`s TDP and Shiromani Akali Dal`s Parkash Singh Badal as members. Today, you have a weakened NDA, an NDA which has 38 members, of which only three have more than five MPs, 26 have no representation in Parliament, not even a single MP. This is only theoretical NDA,” he explained.

“The I-N-D-I-A bloc is not a theoretical exercise, but a formidable alliance that has chemistry not just in these meetings, but also at the grassroots level. It can not only challenge but actively defeat the BJP,” he added.

State and civic elections

When asked if partnering with the I-N-D-I-A alliance will help AAP in the state and civic elections, Raghav Chadha said there is no such proposition on the table.

“The conversation is largely around the Lok Sabha 2024 election, the agenda, and communication. Coming together in states is not even being discussed. It`s not on the agenda and there`s no proposition at all,” he said.

Double betrayal

Speaking about AAP`s prospects in Mumbai and Maharashtra, Raghav Chadha said people in the state feel betrayed by Eknath Shinde and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.

He further said that people in Mumbai and Maharashtra are waiting to show the Eknath Shinde and BJP-led government the wrongs they have done with the people by stealing their mandate.

“AAP`s political journey in Maharashtra will be decided by the political affairs committee, which is the highest decision-making body. Currently, the people of Maharashtra are feeling betrayed by the Eknath Shinde and BJP-led government. I had the opportunity of interacting with a lot of Maharashtrians and everyone echoed similar sentiments. They are waiting for the elections and to demonstrate to the Eknath Shinde and BJP-led government what wrong they have done with the people by stealing their mandate,” Raghav Chadha shared.

Hitting out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over BMC elections, Raghav Chadha said, “I think this sense of betrayal is so palpable that the Eknath Shinde-led government is not even letting the BMC elections happen. It is primarily this fear of losing the election because they have betrayed the people, which is troubling them. I think people will respond; democracy is the best equaliser.”

ED and CBI are used as tools

When asked about the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) actions against political leaders, the Rajya Sabha MP slammed the BJP. He said the ED and CBI have become frontal organisations of the saffron party.

“ED and CBI have become frontal organisations of the BJP. They are working as per the whims and fancies of the BJP in furthering the political agenda of the BJP. For those accused of corruption and scams, the moment they join the BJP, cases against them are gone and proceedings quashed. The investigation is put in cold storage. Why is this happening? It is happening because ED and CBI are used as tools to suppress the Opposition and prominent leaders of the Opposition are being made to crossover to the BJP,” he added.

Delhi Services Bill, an illegal unconstitutional legislative exercise

The Rajya Sabha MP slammed the BJP over the Delhi Services Bill. He said that the Delhi Services Bill, which has now become a law, is perhaps the most illegal and unconstitutional legislative exercise.

“This undermines the elected government. This appoints the Lieutenant Governor as the supreme authority over the elected representatives. This converts officers into judicial authorities. It is violative of India`s federalism, of article 123, which is the ordinance-making powers given to the central government. It violates every article of the Indian constitution about the powers and functions of a state. And, this is being done only because for the last 25 years, repeatedly in Delhi elections, BJP has lost every single one of them. They failed to form a government and will likely fail in the next 25 years as well. This is why the BJP has introduced the law to control Delhi,” Raghav Chadha said.

Ruling out chances of losing the next assembly elections in Delhi, Raghav Chadha said that people love Arvind Kejriwal. “I always call him the eldest son of the Delhi family. People love him, support him no matter what, and regardless of how many assaults are levied against the elected government of Delhi by the BJP-led government, Arvind Kejriwal is consistently, constantly, and tirelessly working for the benefit of Delhi,” he signed off.

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