SCOOP: AAP makes one last push to woo Congress, proposes new seat-sharing formula with Sharad Pawar as mediator

In a massive political scoop with just weeks left for the Lok Sabha polls, Republic TV has learnt that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is making one last push for an alliance with the Congress party in the National Capital.

Sources have told Republic TV that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has once again become the mediating point between the two parties, acting as the link so that they can join hands together and come to a consensus in terms of seat-sharing.

It is reported that the AAP, which sent its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh to Pawar's residence, has given a 5-2 formula for the alliance which will see Arvind Kejriwal's party contesting in five seats and Rahul Gandhi's party fighting in the other two seats.

The two parties have been at a deadlock over an alliance, despite repeated efforts from other opposition parties, including Pawar himself. The AAP has time and time again hinted that it has been reaching out to the grand old party, but the response hasn't been good enough.

"Congress is not communicating with us. Sharad Pawar tried to bring us together but Rahul Gandhi said no then and there only," Arvind Kejriwal had said during a press conference earlier this month.

On the other hand, while it seems the Congress on the national level is open to joining hands with the AAP, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) is against the idea of an alliance.

DPCC chief and former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit had written to party high command last week when the negotiations were going on. She suggested that the party will not benefit with an alliance on the long term.

"Dikshit and the working presidents have urged the Congress chief not to have an alliance with the AAP, saying it will harm the party in the long run," said a Delhi Congress leader.

READ: Delhi Congress Unit Divided Over Alliance With AAP; Sheila Dikshit Says 'no Tie-up', AICC In-charge PC Chacko Says 'many Leaders In Favour'

Though, her remarks came at a time when All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge PC Chacko maintained that joining hands with AAP is the way to go forward for the grand old party.

"I had said earlier also said that we should go for an alliance in Delhi. Best way to defeat BJP is to have an alliance with AAP in Delhi. I and many other people are of this opinion. There are many leaders and workers in Delhi Congress who are in favour of alliance with AAP," he had said on this matter.