Lok Sabha elections 2019: Congress rules out alliance with AAP in Haryana, Punjab; says decision on Delhi soon

Amid the consistent back-and-forth for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress on Sunday said it was not in talks with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party or any other party for alliance in Haryana and Punjab as well, adding that it will soon declare its candidates for the two states.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also asserted that the party is yet to reach a decision on stitching an alliance with the AAP in the national capital. However, sources on Saturday told Republic TV that AAP and Congress have decided on an alliance with each other with seat sharing of 3:4 with four seats in Congress' bag with the remaining three seats in AAP kitty. 

On Saturday, an AAP leader said the party will firm up an alliance with the Congress in Delhi only if Rahul Gandhi's party agrees to fight the Lok Sabha polls jointly in Haryana and Chandigarh too.

"There's no talk on alliance with any party, including the AAP, either in Haryana or in Punjab. We are soon going to declare our candidates (for the two states)," Surjewala said Sunday at a press conference where the Congress unveiled its campaign slogan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- "Ab Hoga Nyay".

READ: Alka Lamba Brings Twitter Dare To Streets Of Delhi, Asks Voters If She Should 'quit AAP Or Continue?'

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had on Saturday discussed the issue again with his party leaders from the city. Delhi Congress president and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, All India Congress Committee General Secretary and in-charge of the party's national capital unit P C Chacko and some other senior leaders were present at the meeting held in Gandhi's residence.

While the decision on an alliance has yet not reached between the two parties, the AAP has asked the Congress to openly declare its support to full statehood for Delhi.

The AAP has reportedly conveyed to the Congress that it would support the grand old party in Chandigarh if it gets to contest three seats in Haryana - Faridababd, Gurgaon and Karnal.

READ: Congress, AAP Seal Delhi Alliance With Rahul Gandhi's Party As Junior Partner: Sources

(With PTI inputs)