AAP convener Arvind Kerjriwal had recently met Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, CPM chief Sitaram Yechury and JDU leader Sharad Yadav, to request AAP’s admission in discussion and meetings held to decide upon a consensus candidate of the non-NDA parties for the President elections due in July.
Congress along with NCP and some others have opposed this request of AAP to join the opposition camp for Presidential polls. Giving reason for its opposition, Congress alleged that AAP had used “choicest abuses” against several parties and leaders during its agitation days but was “now trying to protect itself from BJP attack.”
In response to this, AAP said that it would totally cooperate with all the non-NDA parties to prop up a joint presidential candidate and taking up farmers’ issues. Kejriwal questioned that if turf-rivals such as Trinamool & CPM, Congress and Left and SP & BSP could come together, why not AAP.
In spite of AAP’s promise of cooperation, Congress still opposes its involvement in the opposition camp. Congress mocks AAP as ‘B team of BJP’ and a ‘political offshoot’ of RSS-mobilised anti-corruption movement. Though some leaders are in favour of allowing AAP to join the camp, saying that it may unilaterally declare support to Opposition candidate and take up farmers’ issues to demonstrate commitment against BJP.
There are some differences among the non-NDA party members regarding the announcement of their candidate for the Presidential polls. As per the tradition the ruling party first announces its candidate, but some non-NDA parties are of the opinion that early announcement should be made of the Opposition nominee.
The opposition parties are again meeting on Wednesday at Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s office for enlarging discussion on farmers and youth issues.
Announcement of the opposition nominee is likely to come in the coming days.