Even as the electoral scene is Delhi looks like a direct fight between the AAP and the BJP, the Congress is trying to gain its lost base from the AAP.

The party’s direct attack is targeted more at the AAP than its bête noire, the BJP.

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Krishna Tirath’s decision to join the BJP has also not surprised the Congress.

A senior party functionary told BusinessLine both the screening committee and the central election committee of the Congress had decided not to give Tirath ticket, as she lost the deposit in the Lok Sabha elections.

“She came third and lost the deposit in Lok Sabha elections. We were also not in a position to accept her suggestion to give party ticket to her daughter,” the leader said and added that Tirath will only be a “burden” for the BJP.

Core base The party is more worried about the shifting of its core base towards the AAP. “Muslims and Dalits, who used to vote for the Congress, have shifted towards the AAP. Our focus is to minimise the impact,” another senior Congress leader said.

There are indications that the party’s manifesto, scheduled to be released this week, will have announcements aimed at both these communities.

Congress insiders say the shift of minorities vote to the AAP is likely to be more than the last election. “However, we are getting unexpected support from various other sections of the society,” the leader added.

Calling Kejriwal the “Muffler U Turn”, the Congress said Delhi was dragged behind during the 49 days of AAP government. AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Arvinder Singh Lovely told reporters here that the AAP deviated from its position on at least 16 issues, starting from joining politics to seeking official bungalows for elected representatives.

Booklet release The Congress released an eight-page booklet, hitting out at the AAP government. The booklet contains 16 points with each listing promises made by the AAP chief.

Kejriwal could have created a “world record” on going back on his words, Maken said. He, however, maintained that the main rival of his party is the BJP.

There are indications that the Congress’ effort is to come to the second position in the Assembly.

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