The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress have recently engaged in a heated exchange following the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The AAP has criticized Rahul Gandhi's silence on the matter, while the Congress has retaliated sharply.

AAP questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on Sonam Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act (NSA). The party took to social media to question Gandhi's silence, with a post on X (formerly Twitter) stating that Wangchuk had been imprisoned by the Modi government on false charges of sedition and asking why the "so-called opposition leader" was silent. AAP also shared a photo of Gandhi hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling Gandhi a "BJP agent". AAP questioned why Rahul Gandhi, who "asks how many of our aircraft were lost in Operation Sindoor, is silent on Sonam Wangchuk now".

The Congress party hit back, with Supriya Shrinate, head of Congress social media, responding with a post on X that accused the AAP of being on the verge of collapse and alleging that the party's foundation was laid by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Shrinate reminded Kejriwal that when he was jailed over corruption charges in the liquor policy case in Delhi, "it was this very Congress family that supported your family, raised their voice for you, and made you a part of the INDIA bloc". She further added, "We don't know how many more days you'll last in politics, but this fact will always be recorded: the Aam Aadmi Party, born of the BJP, has fallen into the hands of the BJP itself". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the Centre's handling of the situation and demanded a judicial inquiry into police firing in Ladakh.

This recent spat is only the latest in a series of clashes between the AAP and Congress. The parties, who were once allies in the INDIA bloc, have increasingly become rivals, particularly in Delhi and Punjab. The AAP has accused Congress of working to help the BJP. Congress has accused AAP of corruption and aligning with the BJP.

The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk and the subsequent political fallout highlight the complex and often fraught relationship between the AAP and Congress. With both parties vying for political space and influence, particularly in the lead-up to the Punjab elections in early 2027, further clashes and disagreements can be expected.