Boost to Meira Kumar as Kejriwal likely to support her in presidential elections
Even in the past, AAP and Kejriwal have been seen standing along with the Opposition on issues such as surgical strikes and demonetisation.
In Short
- Arvind Kejriwal is likely to lend its support to Meira Kumar.
- AAP was not allowed to take part in the Opposition deliberations.
- AAP has been stopped from being a part of the 17-party group of non-NDA parties.
There is some solace for Opposition in the July 17 presidential elections. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to lend its support to Congress led 17-party Opposition candidate Meira Kumar.
Though AAP was not allowed to take part in the Opposition deliberations over selection of presidential candidate, the party, in most likelihood, would back Meira Kumar.
Ironically, AAP is supporting the Opposition candidate even though it has been stopped from being a part of the 17-party group of non-NDA parties.
The Opposition's loss in Nitish Kumar led JD (U) breaking ranks with it will get compensated upto a large extent with AAP's support. The Kejriwal led party has four Lok Sabha MPs and 86 MLAs.
AAP TO NOT SUPPORT RAM NATH KOVIND
Sources told India Today that AAP would in no circumstances support BJP led NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind. "There is no question to support the BJP candidate. We may eventually decide to vote for the Opposition candidate," the sources said.
However, the party has not yet taken a final call as yet over supporting a candidate. A meeting of senior AAP leaders would take place shortly to formally decide on supporting former speaker Meira Kumar's candidature.
AAP WON'T BOYCOTT PRESIDENTIAL POLLS
Asked whether there were chances of AAP boycotting the presidential elections, the sources said the party believed in democratic process and there was no question of keeping away from the July 17 exercise.
"Presidential elections are a constitutional process. We believe in the Constitution, in the president, prime minister and all constitutional bodies. The PM is our PM. Hence, we will surely take part in the elections," the sources added.
Asked to comment on the AAP being kept away from the 17-party Opposition group to chalk out a strategy over presidential polls, the sources said they were not concerned. "Taking part in deliberations does not suit us. Even if we would have been invited, we would have kept away from the Opposition group. Do you think we would have sat with someone like Sharad Pawar?" they said.
If the sources are to be believed, AAP has kept cards close to its chest. However, they may finally end up supporting Meira Kumar.
AAP AND OPPOSITION ON THE SAME PAGE
Even in the past, AAP and Kejriwal have been seen standing along with the Opposition on issues such as surgical strikes, demonetisation and questioning the EVMs during the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Goa Assembly elections.
AAP had formed government in Delhi after the 2013 Assembly elections with the support of Congress despite BJP bagging the maximum number of seats. However, that experiment failed and the government survived only for 49 days.
AAP AND BJP HOSTILITY
On the other side, Kejriwal has been vocal in criticising the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had gone to the extent of calling the PM "coward and psychopath". He had also alleged that the PM might get him murdered.
Kejriwal and four of his party colleagues are already been dragged to court in defamation cases lodged by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Delhi and District Cricket Association alleged scam case.
In these circumstances, AAP supporting Meira Kumar seems more logical. However, the whole process also highlights the isolation of AAP.
Though CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had put forth the proposal to include AAP in the Opposition's deliberations, it was summarily rejected by Sharad Pawar led NCP and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
NCP and Congress said they had objections over the conduct of AAP leaders, including Kejriwal. They also alleged that AAP was a "B team" of BJP and an offshoot of RSS.
Though Kejriwal may support the Opposition, the presidential elections have proved how he and his party have got isolated.
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