No Discussion On Seat-Sharing, Says Congress While AAP Tries To Claim Majority Of Delhi Constituencies For Lok Sabha Elections

Following the initial discussion between the AAP and Congress about forming a coalition for the Lok Sabha elections on Monday (8 January), the leaders reported that the conversation was "positive and fruitful", focusing on "cooperation".

Sources from AAP disclosed that the party had attempted to establish a compelling claim for Northeast Delhi. They expressed their preference to compete for four out of the seven Parliamentary seats in the capital, intending to leave the remaining seats to the Congress.

Mukul Wasnik, the general secretary of Congress, reported that an extensive conversation occurred. He stated, "Over the course of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, various matters were discussed. This encompassed strategies to compete for different seats. We intend to continue these discussions and convene another meeting soon to determine the final arrangement for seat-sharing."

The meeting included participation from the AAP's national general secretary (organisation), Sandeep Pathak, and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Indian Express reported.

However, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the party's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha were absent. Kejriwal and Mann are currently campaigning in Gujarat, while Chadha is out of the country. Notably, all three have previously attended the INDI Alliance meetings.

A high-ranking member of Congress, who attended the meeting, stated that no discussion regarding seat-sharing took place. “They (the AAP) were positive towards the suggestions given and the queries posed by us today to which they will get back to us. The question of discussing seats does not arise because the leaders representing the AAP who were part of the meeting today do not have the mandate to do so; this was already conveyed to us,” the leader said.

The Congress leader stated that the primary focus of the discussions was on "collaboration" across various Parliamentary sectors in the capital, and how each partner could support the other in areas of "weakness".

“We (the Congress) have suggested creation of a common secretariat from the point of view of contesting the polls. This will not only send the right message in terms of cooperation between us both, but also to our respective cadres,” the leader said.

Insiders have indicated that the arrangement of seat-sharing is anticipated to be a topic of discussion in the imminent second meeting.

The leader further added that today's discussion was solely focused on mutual assistance in various constituencies and the candidates they put forward. They have planned another meeting, which is likely to take place on 10 or 11 January.