AAP and Congress will tie up to contest Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat, says state AAP chief
The Hindu
AAP and Congress to fight Gujarat LS polls under seat-sharing formula. BJP downplays announcement, dubs AAP "B team" of Congress. Congress says final call will be taken by Central leadership.
Aam Aadmi Party's Gujarat unit chief Isudan Gadhvi on Monday caused a flutter by saying the AAP and the Congress will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat under a seat-sharing formula as both the parties are members of the opposition INDIA alliance.
Responding to Mr. Gadhvi's statement, the Congress said the party will abide by the directions of Central leadership.
The Bharatiya Janata Party said the likely tie-up between AAP and Congress will not affect the ruling party's poll prospects and dubbed AAP the "B team" of Congress.
"Both AAP and Congress are part of the INDIA alliance. This poll alliance will also be implemented in Gujarat. Though the talks of a tie-up are still at the primary level, it is sure that both AAP and Congress will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat under a seat-sharing formula.
"If everything goes as planned, I guarantee that BJP will not be able to win all 26 seats in Gujarat this time," Mr. Gadhvi told reporters in Ahmedabad.
He said the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has joined the INDIA bloc to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.
"AAP's Gujarat unit has already started doing research about seats on which the party can field candidates," Mr. Gadhvi said.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.