In a significant political development, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav declared his party's support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over Congress in the upcoming Delhi assembly election. Yadav emphasized that AAP is better positioned to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national capital.

Supporting Stronger Contenders Against BJP

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Yadav explained that the guiding principle of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties including the Congress, AAP, and SP, is to strengthen regional parties where they hold greater sway.

?We must support whichever party is strong and in a position to give a fight to BJP. In Delhi, AAP and Congress are facing each other. My advice is AAP is strong, so we should all support it. After all, our common goal is the defeat of BJP, whether it is Congress, Samajwadi Party, or AAP,? Yadav said.

Unity Within the INDIA Bloc

Reiterating the alliance's cohesion, Yadav dispelled rumors of a rift within the INDIA bloc. ?The INDIA alliance is intact. I remember when the alliance was being formed, Nitish Kumar had talked to leaders of all parties, including ours. He had said at the time that we should strengthen the hands of a regional party wherever it is strong. AAP is strong in Delhi, so we support it,? he clarified.

The INDIA bloc, a coalition of 26 opposition parties, includes the Samajwadi Party, AAP, Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and others. Its goal is to present a united front against the BJP in upcoming elections.

Criticism of BJP?s Actions Against Kejriwal

Yadav also criticized the BJP-led central government, accusing it of misusing central agencies for political gains. Referring to the Home Ministry's prosecution sanction against AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, Yadav said, ?Wherever they are in power, they rule dictatorially.?