'Some Delhi Congress leaders are still hopeful of an alliance with AAP'

A section of Congress leaders are still hopeful of forging an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to take on the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Delhi where seven seats are at stake, said sources on Saturday.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi may call a meeting to review the decision about an alliance with the AAP," they said, adding that the Congress party is also under pressure from other like-minded parties to forge an alliance with the AAP.

Those Congress leaders, who are still backing an alliance with the AAP are of the view that the alliance is must for taking on the BJP not only in Delhi but across the country.

Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday at her 10, Janpath residence before proceeding to the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office to meet the party leaders.

Though not clear as to what exactly transpired at these meetings, the development comes against the backdrop of a section of Delhi Congress leaders strongly batting for an electoral tie-up with the AAP, which is in power in the city-state.

PC Chacko, in-charge for Delhi affairs, said the workers are busy to strengthen the party. The party's booth-level workers' convention is slated for March 11 here. According to sources, Congress leaders like Chacko and Ajay Maken are in favour of an alliance with the AAP.

Earlier this week, Dikshit after meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi had declared that there was unanimity among party leaders against forging an alliance with the AAP.

Following the announcement, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said there are "rumours" that the Congress has a "secret understanding" with the BJP and asserted that his party is ready to fight the "unholy alliance."

On February 28, Chacko had met Dikshit and stressed the need for an alliance with the AAP, said a source. The source also added the AAP is willing to tie up with the Congress at least in Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. However, a section of Congress leaders are opposed to this.

On last Saturday, Delhi's Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai announced AAP's candidates for six Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, thus bringing all speculations about Congress-AAP alliance to an end.

AAP has fielded Brajesh Goyal from New Delhi, Atishi from East Delhi, Dilip K Pandey from North East Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South Delhi, Pankaj Gupta from Chandani Chowk, and Gugan Singh from North West Delhi. AAP has not yet announced the candidate for West Delhi Lok Sabha seat.