With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections barely months away, the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a closed-door meeting on Monday to deliberate on a seat-sharing arrangement between them, putting aside their ongoing differences.Congress, AAP meeting on seat sharing for Lok Sabha pollsSenior Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik, Ashok Gehlot and members of the partys seat-sharing committee attended the talks along with AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj.Though exact details were not revealed, sources said AAP proposed allotting 3 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the Congress which currently has no presence in the national capital. In return, it expects generous seat sharing from Congress in states like Gujarat, Haryana and Goa.AAP has reportedly sought 1 seat in Gujarat, 3 in Haryana and 1 in Goa. This has prompted both parties of the anti-BJP INDIA bloc to meet again for finalising arrangements.Additionally, AAP which rules Punjab has expressed willingness to give 6 seats to Congress in the border state. However, Punjab Congress leaders have strongly opposed any truck with AAP for the polls.INDIA bloc office to be establishedThere was also a suggestion to establish an INDIA bloc office in Delhi for better coordination through joint discussions.Speaking after the meeting, Congress leader Mukul Wasnik stated both parties have decided to contest together and will make vigorous preparations to defeat the BJP. He did not divulge details saying it was improper to reveal internal deliberations.Whats aim of holding Congress-AAP meetingThe closed-door confabulation signals AAP and Congress are attempting to forge a united front against BJP by overcoming their political differences. An effective seat-sharing deal can potentially avoid the division of anti-BJP votes.However, sticking points remain, especially in states like Punjab where Congress sentiments against AAP run high. Reconciling competing claims over seats will test the INDIA blocs ability to work cohesively.AAP to contest 1st time in LS pollsThis will be the first time that AAP will contest nationally for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Its seat-sharing negotiations illustrate efforts to gain strategic electoral footholds beyond its Delhi-Punjab bastions.For Congress, a broad anti-BJP coalition is vital to bolster its shrinking political footprint. But seamless on-ground coordination with AAP may prove challenging unless the INDIA partners align ideologically.
