Arvind Kejriwal Says Congress Has Almost Ruled Out Alliance With AAP

A day after he participated in a meeting with opposition leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that the Congress has "more or less" ruled out an alliance with his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Asked whether the AAP was more eager for an alliance with the Congress, he said the BJP would benefit in a three-cornered contest.

On Wednesday, top opposition leaders called for the ouster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they rallied in the national capital in a show of strength but some of them admitted to differences within their ranks ahead of the Lok Sabha battle. The rally was organised by AAP.

Congress leader Anand Sharma, who took part in the rally despite persisting Congress-AAP tensions in Delhi, had said that there will be agreements among opposition parties at some places and none at some others. "However, attempts should be made in the country's interest."

Later, at a meeting hosted by NCP president Sharad Pawar at his residence in New Delhi, opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee Wednesday agreed to work together to prepare a common minimum programme to oust the Modi government and to consider forging a pre-poll alliance.

The meeting also saw Congress chief Gandhi and Kejriwal coming together for the first time.

PTI