Haryana polls: AAP names 20 candidates, no headway in talks with Congress

Haryana AAP vice-president Anurag Dhanda to contest from Kalayat, Indu Sharma from Bhiwani, Vikas Nehra from Meham and Bijender Hooda from Rohtak.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday released its first list of 20 candidates for the October 5 Haryana assembly elections, hinting at a roadblock in alliance talks with the Congress.

Haryana AAP chief Sushil Gupta said his party will release the names of candidates from all 90 seats in Haryana if the deal with the Congress is not finalised by Monday evening. (HT file photo)

The last date for filing nominations for the 90-member assembly is September 12.

The party has fielded its Haryana unit vice-president Anurag Dhanda from Kalayat and Indu Sharma from Bhiwani. Vikas Nehra has been fielded from Meham and Bijender Hooda from Rohtak.

The party was in talks with the Congress for an alliance in the state. However, the talks have been stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the AAP. According to sources, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is demanding 10 of the 90 seats, while the Congress is offering five.

Earlier in the day, Haryana AAP chief Sushil Gupta said his party will release the names of candidates from all 90 seats if the deal is not finalised by Monday evening.