Opposition emboldened by Kejriwal's win in Delhi

NEW DELHI: From the reactions that poured in from opposition parties after Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party’s sweep against BJP in Delhi, it is clear that they have been encouraged to corner the ruling party at the Centre when Parliament reconvenes in the first week of March for the rest of the Budget Session.


Though it is safe with its numbers in the House, with opposition preparing to rally together against BJP, it could lead to a stormy session coming up next month. The impact of the renewed opposition unity against BJP could also be felt in the next lot of elections to a number of Rajya Sabha seats that fall vacant in April.

With Kejriwal having already been part of the anti-BJP opposition unity group, parties like Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), which had openly declared support to AAP and campaigned for it, are preparing to take on the Narendra Modi government in Parliament with renewed energy.

With BJP’s polarizing campaign for Delhi failing in Delhi, the "secular" narrative of opposition parties got a boost on Tuesday, and it will add to the non-NDA camp’s enthusiasm to flag economic issues over the emotive "nationalism" refrain that the treasury benches take up to get their way.

Claiming that the people had voted against CAA and NRC in Delhi, Banerjee said there are important issues like unemployment, economy, industry, price hike and development but the Centre is focussing only on the politics of hatred.

Congratulations @ArvindKejriwal as #DelhiResults show @AamAadmiParty all set to win #DelhiElection2020 with a thumping majority yet again. Leaders playing on faith through hate speech & divisive politics should take a cue, as only those who deliver on their promises are rewarded,” she tweeted.


A defeated BJP in Delhi has also emboldened opposition voices like that of Kashmiri leaders under detention.

PDP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija tweeted on behalf of her mother to say, “On behalf of Ms Mufti, I'd like to congratulate @ArvindKejriwal for his spectacular victory & especially Dilliwallahs for rejecting vitriolic divisive politics & voting on real issues instead. Referring to Union home minister Amit Shah's statement about Shaheen Bagh protests, she said, “Those exhorting Dilliwallahs to send a current got electrocuted themselves & that too at high voltage.”


The latest addition to the opposition camp, Shiv Sena chief Thackaray, reacted early in the day. “The people of Delhi have chosen 'Jan Ki Baat' over 'Mann Ki Baat'. There is a (BJP-led central) government in Delhi with so called nationalistic views, which used the entire machinery and force in the Delhi Assembly polls but failed before the broom,” he tweeted, in a clear dig at the Modi government.

CPM leader

Sitaram Yechury

tweeted, “Congratulations @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty and the people of Delhi who have given a befitting reply to BJP's politics of hate and violence. Union ministers called for 'gaalis' and 'golis'. People have given their answer.”

Stalin said, “this is a clear vindication that development trumps communal politics. Federal rights and regional aspirations must be strengthened in the interest of our country.”

Whether it is Mufti or Banerjee or DMK’s Stalin or even Maharashtra chief minister

Uddhav Thackaray

, their reactions are clear indicators of the fact that the anti-CAA and anti-NRC refrain will only grow and the theme is going to dominate the month-long session scheduled for early next month.

With BJP going into an overdrive on the pro-CAA campaign, it is to be seen whether the pitch is toned down to get legislations passed and restore some normalcy in the House to ensure a smooth passage of the Budget.