AAP's decision to contest the Bihar election may raise INDIA block’s ‘ Dhadkan’

1. 7/3/25, 5:43 PM AAP's decision to contest the Bihar election may raise INDIA block’s ‘ Dhadkan’ Published 03 July 2025 Share this post: The announcement by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections has sent ripples across India’s political landscape especially within the INDIA bloc. While the INDIA alliance was conceived as a united front against the BJP juggernaut, growing fissures within the block, particularly between the Congress and AAP, are becoming increasingly evident. AAP’s decision to contest alone in Bihar, a politically vital state, may further weaken the already strained ties between the two parties and inadvertently bolster the BJP. Cracks in the India block! The tension between AAP and Congress is not new, but it has become more pronounced in recent state elections. In Haryana, for instance, both parties fielded separate candidates, splitting the anti-BJP vote and helping the saffron party win several key constituencies by narrow margins. Take the Dabwali seat, where the Congress candidate lost by just 610 votes, while the AAP candidate secured over 6,600 votes. Clearly, had there been a united opposition, the seat might have gone to Congress, strengthening the INDIA bloc. https://votermood.com/blog/aap-bihar-elections-impact-on-india-bloc 2/4

2. 7/3/25, 5:43 PM AAP's decision to contest the Bihar election may raise INDIA block’s ‘ Dhadkan’ Another striking example is Uchana Kalan. BJP’s Devender Chatarbhuj Atri scraped through with a margin of just 32 votes against Congress’s Brijendra Singh. However, AAP’s Pawan Fuji drew 2,495 votes, effectively playing the spoiler. This “vote katwa” effect is now being increasingly associated with AAP, at least in the Congress camp. Will Bihar become new battlefield? Now, AAP has set its sights on Bihar, a state where it has negligible organizational presence and virtually no mass base. The rationale behind this move is unclear, as is it a genuine expansion strategy or a bargaining chip for future negotiations within the INDIA block? Regardless, the timing and optics are politically sensitive. For Congress, which is already fighting to stay relevant in Bihar against regional heavyweights like RJD and JD(U), AAP’s entry could complicate alliance arithmetic. Even a small percentage of vote share going AAP’s way could tilt closely fought seats in BJP’s favor, exactly what happened in Haryana and Delhi. No prizes for guessing who gains In this political chessboard, the BJP stands to gain the most. With its disciplined cadre, robust booth-level organization, and ability to exploit opposition disunity, the BJP has historically benefited whenever the opposition has failed to present a unified front. Quick Links Contact Us About Us S1, Bidla Sons, Ajmer Road, DCM, Jaipur, 302021 (Rajasthan) VoterMood is a platform for democratic engagement. Information on this platform is meant for public awareness and participation. Users are encouraged to engage responsibly and respect democratic principles. What We Offer News & Media support@votermood.com Blog FAQ +91-85 0202 6969 Contact Us https://votermood.com/blog/aap-bihar-elections-impact-on-india-bloc 3/4