The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of collaborating with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine opposition unity in the capital. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Thursday alleged that the Congress is “hand-in-glove” with the BJP to ensure its victory in the upcoming Delhi elections.

The controversy stems from a recent complaint filed by the Congress against AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The complaint accuses Kejriwal of “misleading and deceiving” the public with promises of welfare schemes that allegedly do not exist.

In a sharp retort, Atishi demanded that the Congress leadership take immediate action against its Delhi unit for what she termed as “conspiratorial behavior.” “If the national leadership of Congress is not complicit in this conspiracy, they must act against their Delhi leaders,” she said.

The AAP’s anger has escalated with Congress leader Ajay Maken’s remarks labeling Kejriwal as “anti-national.” AAP MP Sanjay Singh joined the fray, warning that the party would consult other members of the INDIA bloc to remove Congress from the alliance unless disciplinary action is taken.

This brewing discord threatens to fracture the opposition’s INDIA bloc, which was formed to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming general elections. Analysts believe the AAP’s threats, if carried out, could significantly weaken opposition unity and give the BJP an advantage in Delhi.

While Congress is yet to officially respond to AAP’s ultimatum, insiders suggest that the party may hold internal discussions before issuing a statement. The incident underscores the fragile nature of the INDIA bloc alliance, raising questions about its ability to present a united front against the BJP in 2024.

This development comes as all eyes are on Delhi, a key battleground in the political contest between AAP and BJP, with Congress now emerging as a contentious third player.