Delhi Cong leaves decision on alliance with AAP up to Rahul

NEW DELHI: Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit and other leaders of the unit on Monday discussed the possibility of an alliance with the AAP for the Lok Sabha polls in the city in a meeting with party chief Rahul Gandhi. The opinion remained divided on the issue and everyone in the meeting was unanimous that Gandhi should take a final call on it in the larger interest of the party, said a participant of the meeting.

Sources said four former Delhi Congress presidents — Ajay Maken, Subhash Chopra, Tajdar Babar and Arvinder Singh Lovely favoured an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. "AICC in-charge of Delhi Congress PC Chacko also handed over signed letters of 12 district Congress presidents, leaders of the party and councilors in three municipal corporation, in favour of the alliance, to Gandhi," they said.

Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit has repeatedly voiced her opinion against the alliance, however, she has also said that the final decision will be taken by the party leadership. On the other hand, AAP has announced candidates for all 7 Lok Sabha seats while Rahul Gandhi, too, has said that Congress will fight to win all the seven seats in Delhi.

Both the parties have however, continued to send to feelers to each other as leaders of both have time and again come out to say talks are on for an alliance. Earlier it was reported that NCP chief Sharad Pawar is mediating between the two arch-rivals to agree on an alliance in order to defeat the BJP.

Amid the confusion, Rahul Gandhi's crucial meeting with the Delhi Congress leaders is expected to come to a final decision before the Lok Sabha elections commence from April 11. "Once Rahul Gandhi takes an 'in-principle decision' on allying with AAP, which is expected in next few days and if it's in favour of alliance, a committee will be constituted to negotiate with AAP for sharing seats in Delhi and Haryana," they added. Delhi votes for its seven Lok Sabha seats on May 12.