Congress and AAP have announced that they are going to jointly contest the January 18 Chandigarh mayoral polls. While AAP will field its candidate for the mayor's post, the Congress will contest for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts.
Monday's announcement comes amidst seat-sharing talks between the two parties, both part of INDIA bloc, for the upcoming general elections. While AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has been reportedly seeking to seal seat arrangements for key states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa, and Gujarat, Congress is believed to be focussing on Delhi and Punjab for the moment, where AAP is in power.
However, several reports indicated that both parties' Punjab unit are vehemently opposed to a potential tie-up, given their fierce rivalry in the state.
The other bone of contention between AAP and Congress is how many seats both of them are willing to concede. Several media reports suggested that the AAP is offering 3 Lok Sabha seats from Delhi to the Congress. In return, Arvind Kejriwal is eyeing 1 Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, 3 in Haryana, and 1 in Goa, reported India Today citing sources.
Earlier, PTI news agency had reported citing sources that the AAP wants to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat Haryana, and Goa.
During the 2019 general elections, Congress won 8 out of the 13 seats it contested in Punjab, whereas AAP managed to secure only one seat.
In Delhi, on the other hand, both Congress and AAP drew blank, while BJP won handsomely in all of the 8 seats.
(With inputs from agencies)