AAP & Congress Maintain Silence Post Second Round of Seat-Sharing Talks, Decision Awaited

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have kept mum on the outcome of their second round of seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which took place on Friday, January 12. The two parties, which are part of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties against the BJP-led Centre, have reportedly discussed seat sharing in Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Goa and Haryana.

Delhi: Four-Three Formula Likely

According to sources, both parties have agreed to contest on four and three seats respectively in Delhi, but have not yet decided which party will get which seats. The seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi are currently held by the BJP. AAP and Congress hope to consolidate their vote share and defeat the ruling party in the national capital.

Punjab: No Tie-Up Likely

Sources also said that both parties are likely to field their own candidates in Punjab, where AAP has four MLAs and Congress is in power. The two parties have decided not to forge an alliance in the state, as they have different agendas and ideologies. Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha seats, of which four are held by AAP, three by Congress, two by BJP and one each by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Lok Insaaf Party (LIP).

Other States: Congress to Consult State Units

AAP has also expressed its interest in contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat, Goa and Haryana, where it has some presence. Congress has agreed to consult with its state units and get back to AAP within two to three days. The two parties are likely to form an alliance in these states, as they aim to expand their reach and strengthen the INDIA bloc.

Positive Chemistry and Future Prospects

Both parties have described the meeting as positive and fruitful, and have vowed to continue the dialogue. Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is part of the seat-sharing committee, said that they had a comprehensive discussion and shared their thoughts on strengthening the INDIA bloc. He said that they had made significant progress beyond their expectations and hoped to finalize the seat-sharing arrangement soon. AAP leader Raghav Chadha echoed Khurshid’s sentiments and said that the talks were progressing well. He said that they were confident of forming a strong alliance for the future of the country.

The two parties are expected to meet again soon to seal the deal. They are also likely to participate in the virtual meeting of the INDIA bloc leaders on Saturday, January 13, where they will discuss their common agenda and strategy for the Lok Sabha polls.