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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are engaged in a tense negotiation over seat-sharing for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, with the deadline for nomination submissions fast approaching. The two parties, both part of the INDIA bloc, have expressed a mutual desire to form an alliance, emphasizing the significance of their collaboration in thwarting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in this crucial state. Despite the shared goal, a key sticking point remains the distribution of seats, with the AAP seeking to contest 10 out of the 90 seats, while the Congress is only prepared to cede seven.
Raghav Chadha, a prominent AAP leader, stated that both parties are optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement before the September 12 nomination deadline. However, he acknowledged that if a win-win scenario cannot be achieved, the alliance might not materialize. While Chadha remains positive, internal disagreements within the AAP have surfaced. Somnath Bharti, a Delhi MLA, expressed the view that the party should contest all 90 seats independently, echoing a similar stance taken by Arvind Kejriwal in January. This perspective stems from the less-than-satisfactory outcome of the AAP-Congress alliance during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, where the alliance failed to secure a single victory against the BJP.
Meanwhile, Deepak Babaria, the Congress in charge of Haryana, echoed Chadha's sentiment about the ongoing talks, emphasizing that a decision is imminent. He highlighted the ongoing exchange of information regarding seat allocation, expressing confidence that a win-win solution will be reached within a couple of days. The parties have reached an 'in-principle' agreement, further bolstering the prospects of a coalition. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has actively encouraged his party to solidify the alliance in Haryana, recognizing the state's strategic importance in combating the BJP's dominance. The BJP, which secured back-to-back victories in the 2014 and 2019 elections, suffered a setback in the Lok Sabha polls, securing only 5 out of 10 seats in Haryana. The Congress, despite its own struggles, managed to win five seats, preventing a clean sweep by the BJP.
The ongoing negotiations and potential alliance between AAP and Congress hold significant implications for the Haryana Assembly elections. This alliance could potentially weaken the BJP's grip on the state, presenting a formidable challenge to its political dominance. However, the success of this alliance hinges upon the ability of both parties to overcome their differences and arrive at a mutually acceptable seat-sharing arrangement. The upcoming days will be crucial in determining whether this alliance takes shape and what impact it will have on the outcome of the elections.
Source: "If No Win-Win...": AAP Leader Over Haryana Alliance Talks With Congress