Maken confident of Congress-AAP tying up in Delhi

Congress's former Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken on Wednesday expressed confidence that his party and the Aam Aadmi Party will form an alliance for the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital to defeat the BJP.

"I am confident that a Congress-AAP alliance is finally possible. I am in favour of it," Maken told IANS.

His comments came a day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that the party was "open and flexible" on the issue of alliances.

Gandhi, asked about the uncertainty over an alliance with AAP in Delhi at the function to release the party manifesto on Tuesday, said that the Congress has been open on forging alliances and has done it across the country.

There is uncertainty over alliance with AAP amid differing views within the Delhi Congress. Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit is opposed to the alliance but has said she will abide by the decision of the party leadership.

Delhi Congress leaders who are in favour of alliance say the immediate priority is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party while those against the tie-up say that it is not in party's long-term interest and the party should aim to win the next assembly polls.

Maken is apparently keen to contest from New Delhi but has also expressed his reservations about contesting without a tie-up with AAP.

The AAP has already declared candidates on all seven seats. Sources said Delhi Congress has also finalised its recommendations for candidates.

--IANS

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