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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially announced its intention to contest all seats in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, effectively ending alliance negotiations with the Congress party. This decision comes after a breakdown in talks over seat distribution, leaving the two INDIA bloc allies at odds despite their shared goal of preventing the BJP from securing a second consecutive clean sweep in the state's 10 Lok Sabha seats.
The AAP's first list of 20 candidates, including 11 contesting seats against the Congress, signifies a shift in strategy. While initially in a 'wait and watch' mode, AAP's state chief, Sushil Gupta, declared that a second list of candidates will be released soon, solidifying the party's stance to contest all seats independently. The stalled seat-share talks were a major point of contention, with the AAP reportedly seeking at least 10 seats, a demand the Congress was unwilling to meet, offering only a 'small number' of seats in return.
The negotiation impasse highlights the delicate balance between political aspirations and strategic alliances. While the AAP and Congress had initially reached an 'in-principle' agreement to re-form an alliance, differences in their respective ambitions ultimately proved insurmountable. The AAP's decision to contest all seats suggests a shift towards a more assertive strategy, potentially aiming to expand its footprint in the state. This move also raises questions about the future of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties seeking to challenge the BJP's dominance in the national political landscape. The outcome of the Haryana Assembly elections will be closely watched, particularly in terms of the AAP's performance and the impact on the INDIA bloc's broader strategy.
Source: No AAP-Congress Alliance? Haryana AAP Chief Says Party Will Contest All Seats