TMC has requested two seats in Assam and one in Meghalaya.
The Congress is optimistic about finalizing the Lok Sabha poll seat-sharing arrangements with INDIA bloc allies AAP and TMC, as per sources on Friday. This comes after the party reached an understanding with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. Talks with AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal are almost complete, while discussions are still ongoing with Mamata Banerjee’s TMC. The leadership is expected to come to a solution soon that satisfies all parties. TMC has requested two seats in Assam and one in Meghalaya, with negotiations ongoing. However, the Congress is reluctant to give up the Meghalaya seat. Assam has 14 seats and Meghalaya has two.
Regarding the understanding with AAP, talks are almost finalized with AAP contesting four seats in Delhi and Congress three seats. AAP has also requested one seat in Haryana and two in Gujarat, including Bharuch, the hometown of the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel. Rahul Gandhi has reportedly insisted on keeping the Bharuch seat due to emotional attachment to Patel. Patel’s son and daughter are seeking a ticket from Bharuch, and discussions are being held with AAP to agree on another seat.
INDIA bloc parties are in alliance and will contest the polls together, as per sources. AAP leaders mentioned that new developments are delaying an official seat-sharing announcement with Congress. Congress has shown interest in contesting in North East, Chandni Chowk, and North West Delhi seats. Previously, it was agreed that Congress would contest in East, North East, and Chandni Chowk seats. All 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, including North West Delhi, are currently held by BJP.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from PTI)