AAP-Congress Forge Seat-Sharing Agreements Beyond Delhi; Goa, Haryana, and Gujarat Secured, Sources Say

In a significant development this afternoon, sources revealed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have reached seat-sharing agreements for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Chandigarh, and Haryana. This collaboration within the struggling INDIA bloc, formed last year to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suggests a potential consolidation of opposition forces.

KC Venugopal to confirm

The deal, negotiated at Congress leader KC Venugopal’s residence, is set to be officially confirmed at 4 pm. Initial reports hinted at an impending agreement for Delhi, where the AAP currently holds power, with the AAP slated to contest four seats and the Congress three.

Further discussions have solidified arrangements for three other BJP-ruled states as well as Chandigarh. In Gujarat, the AAP will field candidates in two constituencies – Bharuch and Bhavnagar – currently held by BJP representatives Mansukhbhai Vasava and Bharti Shiyal, respectively. Notably, the AAP has already announced its candidates for these seats: Chaitar Vaisava and Umesh Bhai Makwana.

Despite not fielding candidates in the previous Lok Sabha election, the AAP’s political presence has surged, demonstrated by strong showings in the 2022 Surat civic polls and an impressive performance in the Assembly elections, securing five seats. In contrast, the Congress has faced setbacks, losing 60 Assembly seats between 2017 and 2022 and failing to secure a Lok Sabha seat since 2009 when it won 11 out of 26 available in Gujarat. The BJP has historically dominated the state, triumphing in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections.

Also read: Seat Sharing Between AAP And Congress Sealed In Delhi: Ration Will Be 4 To 3  

In Chandigarh, where the BJP currently holds the sole Lok Sabha seat, the Congress will contest in a bid to unseat the incumbent Kirron Kher, who won in 2014 and 2019. Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Congress previously held the seat for three terms.

Earlier speculations suggested the AAP might push to contest the Chandigarh seat, but the finalized agreement has allocated it to the Congress.

This seat-sharing arrangement marks a significant step towards opposition unity, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.