New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have reached a primary agreement to divide electoral constituencies in Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Chandigarh, and Haryana ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, media reports said.
This development indicates progress for the struggling INDIA bloc, formed last year with the aim of defeating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The agreement, negotiated at Congress leader KC Venugopals residence, is anticipated to be officially confirmed at 4 pm. However, the party has hinted that there are still some details to be ironed out.
Earlier today, sources indicated that a deal for Delhi, where the AAP holds power, was nearing finalization.
As per the agreement, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals party is set to contest four seats, while the Congress will nominate candidates for three seats.
The report said citing sources that Congress and AAP have reached seat-sharing agreements for three BJP-ruled states and Chandigarh.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest two seats: Bharuch and Bhavnagar, currently held by the BJPs Mansukhbhai Vasava and Bharti Shiyal.
The Congress will contest the sole Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh, currently held by the BJP.
According to the report, in Haryana, the AAP will field candidates in one seat.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier announced Venzy Viegas as its candidate for the South Goa seat. However, they have decided to withdraw Viegas, who is the Benaulim MLA, and offer the seat to the Congress.
The Congress candidate for this seat in the last election was Francisco Sardinha. It remains uncertain which party will contest the North Goa seat, currently held by the BJP, the NDTV report said.
AAP and Congress have not negotiated on any seat in Punjab.
In Uttar Pradesh, Congress has reached an understanding on 17 seats with the Samajwadi Party of Uttar Pradeshs 80 seats, the report said.
The deal comes after speculations that the two parties may end up without any seat-sharing deal.
