AAP Firm On Key Seats In Haryana Assembly Polls, Amid Alliance Talks With Congress

Discussions regarding a potential pre-poll alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are ongoing, with AAP maintaining a firm stance on key seat demands. Specifically, AAP is insisting on securing the Kalayat seat and at least one seat in the Kurukshetra region as prerequisites for any alliance with Congress.

Amid these negotiations, AAP is also monitoring potential candidates from Congress and BJP who may not align with their respective parties, indicating a strategy to incorporate them if the alliance discussions falter. Should the talks not yield a satisfactory outcome, AAP plans to release its candidate lists, potentially including these rebels, as it prepares to contest all 90 seats independently in the October 5 election.

Raghav Chadha, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP, expressed optimism about the alliance talks, describing them as progressing positively. He emphasized that a successful partnership would benefit both parties and serve the interests of the people of Haryana. However, he noted that the AAP would not proceed if the negotiations do not result in a “win-win situation” for both sides.

Despite the central leadership’s inclination towards forming an alliance, there is resistance from the Haryana Congress unit, particularly from leaders like Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who believe that Congress can secure a majority without AAP’s support. The deadline for finalizing nominations is September 12, and both parties are under pressure to reach an agreement before then.