AAP, Congress deal may disrupt BJP’s stance in Chandigarh, 4 states. AAP and Congress have settled on their seat distribution arrangement for Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Goa. Delhi, with its legislative assembly and Lt Governor, contrasts with Chandigarh, a Union Territory directly governed by the Centre.
In a significant development favoring the Opposition INDIA bloc, the AAP and Congress revealed agreements on seat allocation in:
- Delhi
- Haryana
- Gujarat
- Chandigarh
- Goa
for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, anticipated to take place in April-May this year. Speaking at a press conference, Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik announced that the AAP will vie for three seats in Delhi—:
- New Delhi
- West Delhi
- South Delhi
- East Delhi
While the Congress will contest the remaining three seats in
- Chandni Chowk
- North East
- North West Delhi
Wasnik stated:
In Haryana, Congress will compete in nine Lok Sabha constituencies, with one seat, Kurukshetra, allocated to AAP.
Seat Allocation Details:
Gujarat:
Congress secures 24 seats, while AAP ventures into Bhavnagar and Bharuch constituencies.
Chandigarh and Goa:
Congress stands independently in Chandigarh and both Lok Sabha seats in Goa.
Delhi vs. Chandigarh Governance Dynamics:
Delhi, designated as a National Capital Territory, enjoys legislative assembly elections and a Lieutenant Governor. Conversely, Chandigarh, as a Union Territory, operates under direct Central rule, administered by an appointed Administrator.
Punjab Situation:
No agreement reached for Punjab; AAP plans to contest all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Joint Poll Participation:
AAP and Congress will contest the Lok Sabha elections collaboratively, maintaining their respective party symbols.
Alliance Motivation:
The seat-sharing agreements are aimed at confronting the challenges posed to Indian democracy, stated the Congress leader, emphasizing the alliance’s focus on the nation’s welfare over individual party interests.
Opposition Unity and Strategy:
Despite the arrest of opposition leaders and atrocities against farmers, the alliance prioritizes unity over differences, aiming to disrupt BJP’s political strategy under the banner of the INDIA bloc, remarked Wasnik.
Participants and Representation:
The joint press conference featured Congress representatives including Wasnik, Arvinder Singh Lovely, and Deepak Babaria, alongside AAP delegates Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Sandeep Pathak.
Unified Opposition Vision:
Pathak underscored the need for a robust alternative in the face of electoral malpractices, farmer exploitation, and compromised institutions, highlighting the alliance’s intent to challenge BJP’s dominance.
Seat-Sharing Accord in Uttar Pradesh:
Following a pact between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) led by Akhilesh Yadav, the AAP-Congress deal solidifies the opposition’s presence in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress will contest 17 Lok Sabha seats, while the remaining 63 seats will be allocated to the SP and other INDIA bloc partners. Notably, Congress will maintain its presence in its strongholds, Raebareli and Amethi, as per the agreement.
The Congress will additionally compete in:
AAP, Congress deal may disrupt BJP’s stance in Chandigarh, 4 states. Moreover, the party will nominate a candidate for the Varanasi seat, which is the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
