Sheila Dikshit meets Rahul Gandhi, fresh speculation on AAP tieup

New Delhi: Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit met party president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, triggering fresh speculations on the party's possible alliance with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meeting, which lasted for around 20 minutes, was also attended by AICC in-charge of Delhi P.C. Chacko.

Ms Dikshit, who has been opposing an alliance with the AAP, had said on Sunday that the decision on tieup for Lok Sabha polls will be declared in a few days.

The decision from Rahul Gandhi on an alliance is expected “anytime” now, sources said. The Delhi Congress is divided over the issue with one side claiming that a 4-3 seat sharing formula has been finalised and AAP will be asked to leave three out of the seven parliamentary constituencies in the national capital.

Even Mr Gandhi, for the first time, on Tuesday shed clarity on whether a tieup was possible in the next few days. “There is no confusion on this, the situation is clear. We have constructed alliances and are constructing alliances, and are open to flexibility”. However, Mr Gandhi saying that the situation is clear, the two sides remain as far apart as ever when it comes to joining hands.

Amid Congress president Rahul Gandhi's remarks that his party was flexible and open to alliances, the AAP on Tuesday said it will discuss the prospects of a pre-poll tieup with the grand old party with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and party leaders.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday assured full statehood to Puducherry but stopped short of making the same commitment for Delhi if it comes to power. The Congress, in its manifesto, promised to amend the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991.