Congress in Early Talks with AAP for Haryana Alliance Ahead of Assembly Elections

Congress initiates talks with AAP for a potential alliance in Haryana ahead of the Assembly elections, aiming to consolidate anti-BJP votes. AAP seeks 10 seats, while Congress offers seven.

Key Points

• Congress and AAP are in preliminary discussions for an alliance in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.
• AAP has requested 10 seats, while Congress has so far offered seven.
• Talks began after Rahul Gandhi advocated for an alliance to consolidate anti-BJP votes.
• Two rounds of meetings have occurred, with another expected soon.
• The Congress Central Election Committee is in the process of finalizing candidates for over 66 seats.

As Haryana gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, the Congress has initiated talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to explore a potential alliance aimed at preventing a split in the anti-BJP vote. The discussions, which are still in the early stages, come as both parties look to strengthen their positions against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

AAP sources have indicated that the party is seeking 10 seats in the 90-member Haryana Assembly, while Congress has so far offered seven seats. However, Congress leaders remain cautious about the progress of the talks. “The talks with Aam Aadmi Party regarding an alliance are in a very preliminary stage. We are exploring it. If there is any further development in the next 2-3 days, we will let you know,” said Deepak Babaria, the All India Congress Committee in-charge for Haryana, during a press briefing.

The discussions reportedly began after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed for an alliance to consolidate votes against the BJP, recognizing the importance of unity among opposition parties in the state. Two rounds of meetings have already taken place between Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, with another round expected soon.

This move towards an alliance marks a significant shift, as Haryana Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had previously ruled out any partnership with AAP. The talks come at a crucial time when the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) is finalizing its list of candidates for the state elections.

On Monday, the CEC approved 34 candidates, including 22 incumbent MLAs, and by Tuesday, it had cleared over 66 seats, according to sources. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations between Congress and AAP could have a significant impact on the electoral landscape in Haryana, potentially altering the balance of power in the state’s upcoming elections.