AAP-Congress Seat Pact For Delhi, Gujarat, Other Key Regions Signals INDIA Bloc Strength Against BJP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have reached an understanding in terms of seat sharing in key regions including Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Chandigarh, and potentially Haryana, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This development, reported by sources to NDTV this afternoon, suggests a cohesive effort within the INDIA bloc, formed last year with the aim to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Although Congress sources indicate some remaining details to be ironed out, the party acknowledges the necessity of alliances to effectively counter the BJP and prevent a third consecutive term for them. An official confirmation of this agreement is expected later today.
Earlier reports indicated the completion of an agreement for Delhi, where the AAP currently holds power, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal“s party slated to contest four seats and the Congress three. Now, similar arrangements have been reportedly finalised for three other states and Chandigarh, all governed by the BJP.
In Gujarat, the AAP will contest two seats – Bharuch and Bhavnagar – currently held by BJP’s Mansukhbhai Vasava and Bharti Shiyal, respectively. The AAP is fielding Chaitar Vaisava and Umesh Bhai Makwana, respectively, for these seats. The Congress, which performed dismally, dropped 60 Assembly seats between 2017 and 2022, and has failed to win a Lok Sabha seat since 2009, when it claimed 11 of the 26.
In Chandigarh, where the BJP holds the sole Lok Sabha seat, both the Congress and AAP wish to field its candidate. Kirron Kher won in 2014 and 2019, but the Congress” Pawan Kumar Bansal won it for three terms previously.
In Haryana, while the AAP is expected to contest one seat, there remain uncertainties. Despite the BJP”s stronghold in the state, the emerging alliance indicates a concerted effort to challenge their dominance.
In Goa, the AAP has decided to withdraw its candidate from the South Goa seat, in favour of the Congress candidate, Francisco Sardinha, who won in 2019. The allocation of the North Goa seat remains undecided.
In Punjab, the AAP is contesting all 13 seats, despite the Congress” historic dominance. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress won eight seats and the AAP just one.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has struck a deal with the Samajwadi Party for 17 out of 80 seats, marking a significant milestone for the INDIA bloc. This follows the recent electoral victory in the Chandigarh mayoral election, which energized the alliance.
Despite initial setbacks and departures from key members — Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar”s Janata Dal (United), and Jayant Chaudhary”s Rashtra Lok Dal — the INDIA bloc seems to be gaining momentum, fueled by recent electoral successes and strategic alliances.
