"We Kept Our Stand . . ." : AAP On Poll Alliance With Congress (twitter.com/AamAadmiParty)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi convener, Gopal Rai, said on Tuesday that their party has maintained its stand on contesting in an alliance with Congress in five states, and discussion has been productive so far. The AAP and Congress, both part of the INDIA bloc grouping on Monday held a first round of seat sharing talks for the upcoming General Elections 2024 including Delhi and Punjab.

“The (seat-sharing) talks have begun between the two parties. We kept our stand on contesting in an alliance in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa and Gujarat. Till now, there has been positive discussions,” Gopal Rai said.

When reporters enquired about the seats the party is planning to contest, AAP Delhi convener said that there was “no discussion” regarding the specific seats in these states.

Currently, the AAP is in power in Delhi and Punjab, and Congress units in both states are opposed to holding any deals with the former. Besides, in Punjab, both parties openly scoffed each other over contesting elections in an alliance.

Gopal Rai expressed that AAP wanted to contest elections in alliance, and in the next meeting, seat sharing discussion will be held. “When we are in an alliance, we have to take an official stand. For that (official stand), both the parties will make their preparations and then discuss,” Delhi convener added.

In the meeting held on Monday, from Congress side, senior leaders including Mukul Wasnik and Ashok Gehlot along with members of the seat-sharing committee were present. Similarly, Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj attended the meeting representing AAP.

After the meeting, the leaders did not disclosed any seat sharing details with the media. In the coming days, it will be revealed how two parties. which are political rivals in Punjab and Delhi, are going to reach consensus at seat sharing matters.

(With inputs from PTI)