At a common distance from the BJP and Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Bharat Vahini Party seem to have developed a likeness for each other, with the two parties exploring the options of working together to fight their common enemies.
Until now, both AAP and BVP, founded by rebel BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari, had decided to contest the upcoming Assembly polls independently. Both parties had declared they would be contesting the elections on all 200 Assembly constituencies.
However, leaders of both parties have admitted that they are in talks with each other to explore the possibility of forging an alliance or help each other out in covert strategy aimed at boosting the chances of win of their candidates against the BJP and the Congress.
“There have been talks with the AAP leaders with us. Accordingly, a written proposal from our end has been made to the party,” says Tiwari who rebelled against the BJP as a sitting legislator and floated his own party.
“We are waiting for an official confirmation on our proposal,” he added. “Seat sharing is not an issue, but the written proposal is to ensure transparency in terms of engagement,” Tiwari said. He said winning candidates will get preference in ticket distribution.
Even as leaders of the party were not as forthcoming on the issue of an alliance, there has been a softening in their previous stand of solo contest.
“As a party AAP is not very keen in political alliances, yet in given circumstances we do not rule out association with BVP,” says Devendra Shastri, state coordinator AAP, Rajasthan.
Sources in the AAP, however, admitted that their party representatives in Rajasthan have been in talks with BVP leaders. AAP has already declared its candidates on more than 60 seats.
FINDING MIDDLE PATH
According to AAP leaders, Ghanshyam Tiwari was previously offered to assimilate his party in exchange for an important position in AAP. The proposal was though unacceptable to Tiwari
