AAP Welcomes Reports of Possible Alliance with Congress for Haryana Polls
New Delhi: AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has welcomed reports suggesting that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is considering an alliance with the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana.
Singh addressed reporters, emphasizing that defeating the BJP is a common goal for all opposition parties. He clarified that any decision regarding the alliance would require approval from AAP’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Recent reports indicate that during a Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on Monday, Rahul Gandhi expressed interest in exploring an alliance with AAP for the Haryana assembly polls. Voting for the 90 assembly seats in Haryana is scheduled for October 5, with the results to be counted on October 8.
“Defeating the BJP and countering its divisive politics is a shared priority,” Singh stated. However, he noted that any formal position on the potential alliance will be determined by AAP’s Haryana affairs in-charge, Sandeep Pathak, and state president Sushil Gupta, following Kejriwal’s approval.
Delhi Minister Atishi added that a final decision would be made only after Kejriwal is available. “Rahul Gandhi has sought feedback from Congress leaders. We learned about this from the media, and any decision on an alliance will be made once Arvind Kejriwal is able to participate in discussions,” she said.
In contrast, Congress leaders in Haryana have dismissed the idea of an alliance with AAP. Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja has firmly rejected the possibility, asserting that Congress is prepared to contest the elections independently.
Previously, Congress and AAP, as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), engaged in seat adjustments for the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Haryana, and Gujarat. In Haryana, AAP state president Sushil Gupta was the sole party candidate in the Lok Sabha polls but lost to BJP’s Naveen Jindal.
Interestingly, in Punjab, both Congress and AAP contested the Lok Sabha elections separately. Gupta has recently stated that AAP is ready to contest all 90 assembly seats in Haryana independently if necessary, emphasizing the party’s commitment to engaging with the people of the state.
