Congress releases a list of six candidates from Delhi, Dikshit, and Maken to contest

Congress list includes stalwarts of the party.

Days after it was clear that no there is no real chance of cracking a deal with AAP, which is acceptable to both parties, Congress has gone ahead and announced candidate list for Delhi. Out of 7 names, it has announced six.

Congress has nominated its big hitters in the capital to ensure that the party can finally get on board. After getting zero in 2014 Lok Sabha election, it again failed to open its account in 2015 Assembly election. The Congress list has JP Agarwal from  Chandni Chowk, Congress Delhi President, and former CM Sheila Dikshit from North East Delhi, Arvinder Lovely from East Delhi, Ajay Maken from New Delhi, Rajesh Lilothia from North West Delhi and Mahablal Misra from West Delhi.

It is clear that by fielding some of the biggest names, it is hoping to put up a strong fight against AAP and BJP and doesn't want to merely add up to the numbers. Earlier, Sheila Dikshit had fervently resisted any alliance with AAP. However, other leaders including Ajay Maken preferred an alliance. But AAP's demand that the seat-sharing shouldn't be only in Delhi and be extended to other states like Haryana and Punjab found few takers. In the meantime, Rahul Gandhi publicly slammed Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter saying that Congress is willing to give up 4 out of 7 seats in Delhi, yet AAP is not agreeing to a deal. In reply, Kejriwal accused Rahul and Congress of dividing anti-Modi votes and in turn helping BJP.

AAP and Congress have now announced their candidates. BJP has announced candidates for 4 seats. Delhi goes to poll in a single phase on May 12.




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