The coordination between Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over seat-sharing in Haryana could not be established. As a result, AAP has released its first list of 20 candidates. There are still three days left until nominations close on September 12.
The big question now is whether there will be talks of an alliance between Congress and AAP in the future or if the release of this list makes those talks less likely.
So Why Couldn't an Agreement Be Reached?
Interestingly, in today's first list of 20 candidates, 11 are from seats where Congress had already announced its candidates, meaning Congress and AAP are now in direct competition. Sources suggest that AAP wanted at least 10 seats, while Congress was willing to offer no more than 3. Sushil Gupta, the state president of Haryana AAP, announced that the party would contest all 90 seats in the election.
Read Also: Haryana: No Agreement on Alliance with Congress, AAP Releases List of 20 Candidates
Fighting All 90 Seats - Sushil Gupta
On releasing the first list of 20 candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections, AAP's state president Sushil Gupta said, "...We have released the first list and soon you will get the second list as well. Only a little time is left for elections. We waited sincerely (for an alliance). Our organization in every assembly is strong, and that strong organization wanted us to contest the elections. We showed our patience, and then we released our list... We were part of the INDIA bloc nationally."
AAP Declares Candidates in Seats Where Congress Had Already Fielded Candidates
In the 11 seats where Congress had already announced its candidates, AAP has also fielded its own: Pawan Fauji from Uchana Kalan, Vikas Nehra from Meham, Bir Singh Sarpanch from Badshahpur, Gurpal Singh from Narayangarh, Bittu Pehlwan from Samalkha, Kuldeep Gadrana from Dabwali, Bijender Hooda from Rohtak, Kuldeep Chikara from Bahadurgarh, Ranbir Gulia from Badli, Sonu Ahlawat from Beri, and Manish Yadav from Mahendragarh. Congress had already announced their candidates in these seats.
Read Also: Haryana Election: Kanhaiya Mittal, who Sang 'Jo Ram Ko Laye Hai...' to Join Congress, Says 'I Didn't Sing for BJP, It Was for Yogi'
AAP-Congress Fought Together in Lok Sabha Elections
It's worth noting that AAP and Congress, partners in the 'INDIA' bloc, contested recent Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi together. In Haryana, AAP was given the Kurukshetra seat. Sushil Gupta, the state head of the party, contested from Kurukshetra but lost to BJP's Naveen Jindal.
The ruling BJP and opposition Congress in Haryana are also facing severe resistance from their leaders over the distribution of tickets. AAP has claimed that several disgruntled leaders from both BJP and Congress are ready to join AAP in Haryana. The last date to file nominations for the Haryana election is September 12, and the state is set for assembly elections on October 5.
