Will mutual mistrust between Congress and AAP derail opposition unity?

New Delhi: The mutual mistrust between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party may turn out to be the sore point that may derail the attempts to create opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Sources stated the leadership of the two parties, which are direct opponents of each other in New Delhi and Punjab are refusing to take the middle ground.

"The Congress leadership doesn't want to be seen associating with its primary opponent in these states. While AAP once again made it clear that it won't attend future opposition meetings unless Congress denounces the ordinance brought in by the Centre," sources pointed out.

The two parties are entangled in a political warfare and no one wants to yield as they would look weak in front of their supporters.

The AAP leadership's non-budging over its stance was evident as the party gave a miss to the joint presser addressed by all the participating opposition parties.

"Unless Congress publicly denounces and declares that all its Rajya Sabha MPs will oppose the ordinance, it will be very difficult for AAP to participate in such meetings where Congress is a participant," AAP said in a statement.

Why Congress is maintaining a safe distance from AAP?

The Congress leadership is keeping a safe distance from. Arvind Kejriwal-led party after its state units came out vehemently against any association with the party.

Pradesh Congress Committees, including Punjab and Delhi, have vehemently opposed any plan to lend support to the AAP's cause.

Sources said that the Congress state leaders feel that AAP has grown in these two regions riding on the back of the grand old party's former supporters. Any move that gives an impression regarding Congress’ backing AAP is further likely to dilute the support for the grand old party in these regions.

Senior Congress leaders like Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dikshit have made it clear to the central leadership that supporting AAP over the ordinance issue could end up hurting the grand old party.

The central leadership is facing a tough time making a decision as it hopes to ensure that the party remains united ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Punjab leader of the opposition and senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa has also urged the Congress central leadership to consult the state leaders before considering extending support to the AAP.

This was the reason that former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi did not meet Kejriwal, despite repeated requests from the AAP, sources added.

It has been over a month since Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal had sought time to meet former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to make a case for opposition unity on the ordinance issue.