New Delhi: On Sunday, Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), confirmed that the party will independently contest the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, opting out of the INDIA bloc — the coalition it joined for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Singh, who is also the AAP’s in-charge for Bihar, stated that this decision reflects the party’s independent strategy observed in other states.

“The INDIA bloc was solely for the Lok Sabha elections, and subsequently, we contested alone in the Haryana elections, Delhi elections, and the by-elections in Gujarat and Punjab. Now, we will also contest independently in the Bihar elections,” Singh remarked.

This announcement arises amidst increasing speculation that AAP has distanced itself from the INDIA bloc following its disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections. The AAP-Congress alliance did not secure any seats in Delhi, where the BJP won all seven seats for the third consecutive time.

The AAP has also blamed Congress for the defeat, criticizing the party for not presenting a robust opposition.

Previously, Singh had declared that AAP would not participate in the INDIA bloc meeting on July 19, signaling a formal exit from the coalition. “The party is no longer part of the alliance,” he emphasized.

When questioned whether other members of the INDIA bloc might follow AAP’s lead and leave the coalition due to Congress’ leadership, Singh replied, “As far as the Aam Aadmi Party is concerned, whether on the streets or in the Assembly, we have played and will continue to play a strong opposition role everywhere. Regarding other parties, I cannot comment. I can only speak for my party.”

His remarks come weeks after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s earlier statement following the party’s bypoll victory in Gujarat’s Visavadar, where he accused Congress of aiding the BJP by siphoning off AAP’s votes.

“The INDIA bloc was only for the Lok Sabha elections. Now, there is no alliance from our side,” Kejriwal had stated.

Discussing the Monsoon session of Parliament, Singh mentioned that the AAP MPs will address significant topics including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, the demolition of slums in Delhi, and the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar.