No tie-up with AAP in Haryana, Punjab: Congress

Amid AAP insisting that an electoral alliance in Delhi can happen only with a similar arrangement in Haryana, Congress on Sunday ruled out any such understanding in Haryana or Punjab even as it asked to wait for a final decision on Delhi.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters that there is "no conversation on alliance" with AAP in Haryana or Punjab.

"We will be declaring our candidates soon (in Haryana and Punjab). On Delhi, please await for the decision," he said when asked about the progress in alliance talks between AAP and Congress.

On Saturday, there were reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi gave his final nod for the alliance in Delhi in an arrangement where Congress fights three of the seven seats and leaving the rest to AAP.

However, AAP leaders said an alliance in Delhi can happen only if Congress gives three seats -Gurgaon, Faridabad and Karnal to it. AAP's remarks came after Congress leaders on Saturday indicated that Haryana or Punjab is not on the negotiation table.

In Saturday's meeting, Gandhi had given his nod for the alliance though Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit and anti-alliance group expressed their disagreement.

Dikshit and others told the meeting that a pre-poll alliance with the AAP could have an impact on Congress prospects in the Assembly elections scheduled in early 2020. Sources said Dikshit was upset with the decision but decided to go by the central leadership. On Saturday, Chacko also visited Dikshit after the meeting with Gandhi.

Congress is eyeing New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North West Delhi seats to contest if the alliance happens.