Sheila Dikshit hints at Congress backing AAP in case of hung verdict in Delhi polls

New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Congress support to Aam Aadmi Party cannot be ruled out in case of a hung verdict in the upcoming assembly elections, comments which were quickly contradicted by the party.

"We had given outside support to AAP to form a government after the assembly election over a year back. I cannot rule out supporting the AAP if a similar situation arises after the polls. Any decision on party's strategy depending on the outcome of the election will be taken by the top leadership," Dikshit said on Thursday.

Dikshit said there was no question of supporting BJP and if a situation arises for extending support to AAP to form government, then the party will take a call analysing the post-poll situation.

Asked specifically whether Congress would support AAP again in case no party gets a clear majority, Dikshit said she cannot give a direct reply. "Nothing can be ruled out depending on the situation that will arise."

Reacting to her comments, DPCC Chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said Congress will never ever either support or take support from AAP to form government.

"We will never ever give support or take support from AAP. Arvind Kejriwal had defrauded people of Delhi and they are not going to give them another chance. Congress is confident of its victory in the polls," Sharma said.

He termed Dikshit's comments as her personal opinion.

"Whatever she said is her personal opinion. She is free to air her views. But that is not Congress' position," he said.

Dikshit, who led Congress to victory in three successive assembly polls since 1998 but suffered a crushing defeat in 2013, said efforts should be made to ensure formation of stable government in the city.

"Congress may get a majority or BJP may be in a position to form a stable government. If there is a hung verdict, then we will take a call after analysing the situation.”

"If there is a hung verdict, I think efforts will have to be made to install a government so that people of Delhi are not put through another election. We cannot support communal BJP," she said.

The Congress had extended outside support to AAP to form a government in the city after the assembly polls in December 2013. The Congress had got 8 seats while AAP had won 28 seats and BJP had come victorious in 31 seats.