Congress, AAP Initiate Seat-Sharing Talks for Haryana Assembly Elections

Congress and AAP have begun discussions about seat-sharing for the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. A three-member committee has been formed by Congress to negotiate, with leaders from both parties expressing optimism. The talks aim to prevent vote division and strengthen the INDIA bloc against BJP.

Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have commenced seat-sharing negotiations for the forthcoming Haryana assembly elections, potentially continuing their alliance from the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. Congress has established a three-member committee, comprising the party's screening committee chairman for the state, Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria, and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, to engage in talks with AAP and the Samajwadi Party.

Party general secretary KC Venugopal will supervise the committee. According to Congress sources, the party is prepared to allocate 3-5 seats to AAP and one to the Samajwadi Party in Haryana's 90-member assembly. Discussions with AAP are based on a suggestion from Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who emphasized the importance of contesting elections as part of the INDIA bloc to ensure that alliance votes are not divided. AAP MP Sanjay Singh welcomed the suggestion, noting that a final decision will be made following consultations with party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

'We welcome it. Our priority is to defeat the BJP. Our Haryana in-charge, Sandeep Pathak, and Sushil Gupta will discuss it and inform Arvind Kejriwal of the final decision,' stated Sanjay Singh. Deepak Babaria informed the media that talks with AAP are in the preliminary stages. 'We are exploring it. If there are any further developments in the next 2-3 days, we will let you know,' he said. Congress has also formed a sub-committee to address the pending seats in Haryana, comprising Madhusudan Mistri, Ajay Maken, and Deepak Babaria, who will hold separate discussions with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Kumari Selja on Thursday.

Congress sources revealed that approximately 24 seats remain undecided, with no agreement reached in the Central Election Committee meeting. AAP sources confirmed ongoing talks with Congress, demanding 10 seats. Discussions have involved AAP leader Raghav Chadha and KC Venugopal. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra in early September, before departing for the United States. He will engage in seat-sharing talks online if necessary, with final agreements expected soon.

Jammu and Kashmir will conduct elections in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. Polling in Haryana is set for October 5, with vote counting on October 8. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)