The political landscape in India is heating up as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach. Two significant developments are unfolding: the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may issue a fourth summons to Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the INDIA bloc is experiencing a split over seat-sharing in Bengal.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the AAP, has been a prominent figure in Indian politics. His party recently won the Punjab Assembly elections, marking a significant expansion of AAP’s influence beyond Delhi. However, Kejriwal is now facing potential legal challenges. The ED, a law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India, may issue a fourth summons to him.
The INDIA bloc, an opposition alliance formed to challenge the ruling party in the upcoming elections, is facing internal disagreements over seat-sharing in Bengal. Disagreements over seat-sharing can strain coalitions and even lead to splits, weakening the opposition’s chances in the elections. The Congress party, a key member of the INDIA bloc, has been holding meetings with its state units ahead of seat-sharing talks with its partners. The outcome of these talks will significantly influence the seat-sharing arrangements within the INDIA bloc.
In Punjab, the Congress party faces a dilemma over sharing seats with the ruling AAP. At a rally in Punjab, Kejriwal appealed to people to vote for AAP in all 13 Lok Sabha seats, hinting at no scope for seat sharing with its INDIA ally Congress. The Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, has stated that the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be finalized soon, and the leaders will then start campaigning.