Name of new Delhi Congress chief to be announced by Jan 10: P C Chacko

The Congress is expected to announce the name of its Delhi unit chief by January 10, and all senior leaders, including Sheila Dikshit, are being considered for the post, a senior party leader said on Monday.

The search for Delhi Congress chief began after Ajay Maken resigned from the post on January 4, citing health reasons.

"Party president Rahul Gandhi will take two more days to finalise the name of the new Delhi Congress president. The new president's name will most likely be announced by January 10. Names of all senior leaders, including Sheila Dikshit, are under consideration," AICC in charge of Delhi Congress P C Chacko told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

To a question on forging an alliance for the Lok Sabha election, he said local Congress leaders and workers believe that the party should not ally with the AAP in the national capital and should fight the poll independently.

The Congress has formed a committee under the chairmanship of A K Antony that will decide about tie ups with parties for Lok Sabha polls across the country, Chacko said.

"There is no idea of alliance in Delhi. The Delhi Congress believes that the party should contest parliamentary elections independently. But a final decision in this regard will be taken by the Antony committee," he said.

In response to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal asking voters in Delhi not to vote for the Congress because, he claimed, it will ensure victory of the BJP, Chacko said, "Voting for the AAP will ensure victory of the BJP. This is because the Congress is in direct contest with the saffron party across the country in the Lok Sabha elections, not the AAP."