Rift within Congress Delhi unit out in open as PC Chacko wants party’s alliance with AAP

With just weeks to go for Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the rift within Congress Delhi unit is out in open with party in-charge for Delhi affairs PC Chacko saying that he wants an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to defeat the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the forthcoming General Elections. “There are differences between workers of the Congress and AAP but working committee's decision was that like-minded people should come together defeat the BJP. That is why we are forming the alliance with DMK, TDP, NCP, RJD, and others in different states. In the same line, going for an alliance in Delhi is good for the party,” Chacko said in an exclusive chat with News Nation.  

The differences in the Congress Delhi came to the fore after a survey of party cadre on a possible pact with the AAP was conducted by the grand old party.

Watch his full interview here 

“There are five seats in Delhi and the BJP is not in the position to win. But when anti-BJP votes get divided, the chances of it winning the seat increases. We feel that this opportunity should not be given to the BJP. But we still have to discuss something in this regard. When we met with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the general opinion was that it is not feasible to form an alliance with the AAP. However, it’s not a closed chapter... We are thinking to compromise and form an alliance in order to defeat the BJP,” Chacko said.

When asked about why Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit was not kept in a loop before conducting the survey, Chacko said even he was not aware of the development.

"There is no difference between me and Sheila ji.. we are both working for a common purpose. Neither I nor Sheila ji has any information regarding the survey. Reporting of our Shakti App is direct to our president and this is a new app that is why she is not aware of it,” Chacko said.

However, he clarified that this decision is just for the upcoming elections and not for always.