Rahul Gandhi refused to forge alliance with AAP: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said Congress President Rahul Gandhi refused to join hands with his party for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Kejriwal's confirmation comes amid high uncertainty surrounding the unlikely alliance, which AAP was keen to forge to ensure anti-BJP votes aren't divided. Earlier, Kejriwal's predecessor Sheila Dikshit said the decision will be taken by Rahul.
Sheila Dikshit not an important leader, claimed Kejriwal
"There is nothing on the alliance with Congress. We had one meeting with Rahul Gandhi, where he refused to have an alliance with AAP. Sheila Dikshit is not that an important leader," Kejriwal told IANS.
Few Congress leaders batted for alliance, others didn't
While AAP was keen to forge an alliance, Congress' camp was divided. PC Chacko, who is Congress' in-charge in the national capital, wanted both parties to come together. "Both parties may have problems, that apart we've to defeat Modi and BJP. So, we'll come together," Chacko said. But leaders including Dikshit opined the alliance would hurt Congress in the long run.
Raghav Chadha said defeating BJP was the main goal
Earlier, when Raghav Chadha of AAP was asked about his party's desperation, he told NewsBytes that they were willing to "even drink venom" to defeat BJP. But he underlined that nothing much is left in Congress and the alliance will benefit them. "Congress has lost all its vote share in the state and people of Delhi know better," Raghav had said.
Kejriwal claimed neither Congress nor BJP will make Delhi better
Notably, NCP chief Sharad Pawar also wanted both parties to come together. He facilitated a meeting months ago, but nothing happened. After being shunned, Kejriwal blasted Congress in rallies and claimed the grand old party is not interested in defeating BJP. He also told Delhiites, who will vote on May 12, that nothing will happen for them if BJP or Congress come to power.
