Talks between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress for an alliance in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections have failed, according to sources. Both parties, which are part of the national opposition alliance INDIA, couldn’t reach an agreement on seat sharing. AAP wanted to contest at least 10 seats, while the Congress was only willing to give up three. This difference has led both parties to consider contesting the elections separately.
Last week, both parties had reached a preliminary agreement to contest the elections together. Congress leader Deepak Babaria, who was negotiating the alliance, expressed that the coalition would only work if it was beneficial for both sides. However, despite many talks, no progress was made in resolving the seat-sharing issue. AAP also insisted on contesting the Kalayat seat and wanted at least one seat from the Kurukshetra region.
AAP Releases Candidate List
With no resolution in sight, AAP decided to move forward on its own. Haryana AAP Chief Sushil Gupta gave Congress an ultimatum, saying that if they couldn’t decide by the evening, AAP would release its candidates. Shortly after, AAP announced its first list of 20 candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections, scheduled for October 5.
Among the prominent candidates, Anurag Dhanda, the party’s vice president, will contest from Kerala, while Indu Sharma is running from Bhiwani. Vikas Nehra has been named the candidate for Meham, and Bijender Hooda for Rohtak. Sushil Gupta emphasized that AAP waited patiently for the alliance to materialize but eventually decided to move forward due to the strong support from its organization.
Congress has also been preparing for the elections and has already announced 41 candidates. Deepender Hooda, a Congress MP, emphasized that the focus should remain on the shortcomings of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has governed Haryana for the last ten years. He highlighted issues such as unemployment, crime, and drug addiction as major concerns under the BJP’s rule.
Uncertain Future for Opposition Alliance
The seat-sharing disagreement between AAP and Congress highlights the challenge of forming alliances even within the broader INDIA coalition. The parties had hoped to present a united front against the ruling BJP in Haryana, but their failure to reach a compromise may result in both contesting the elections independently.
As of now, Congress has finalized its candidates for 49 of the 90 seats and has submitted the list for approval. Meanwhile, AAP is expected to release a second list of candidates soon. The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with votes being counted on October 8.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Sanchita is currently pursuing her master's in journalism and mass communication. She has already completed a PG diploma in journalism and mass communication from Patna Women's College and her graduation from Berhampur University. With a strong desire to become a journalist, she is focused on learning and enhancing her skills to excel in her chosen career.
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