Soon after Congress leader and former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that her party will not form an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Congress has formed an “unholy alliance” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The AAP chief accused the Congress of helping the saffron party by splitting anti-BJP votes.

“At a time when the whole country wants to defeat Modi-Shah duo, Congress is helping BJP by splitting anti-BJP vote,” Kejriwal tweeted.

“Rumours (are) that Congress has some secret understanding with BJP. Delhi is ready to fight against Cong-BJP alliance. People will defeat this unholy alliance,” he alleged.

At a press conference in New Delhi today, AAP leader and minister in Kejriwal government Gopal Rai said that the Congress’ decision not to ally with AAP shows that the party thinks of itself as bigger than the country.

“Congress’ final announcement (to contest alone in Delhi) shows that it is hell bent on helping BJP, it seems for them party is bigger than the country. Could it be that Congress has made an unofficial alliance with the BJP?” he said.

Earlier today, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the AAP.

“A unanimous decision has been taken that there will be no alliance in Delhi,” she told reporters.

Her statement came after a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had called a meeting of Congress leaders in Delhi to hold discussions on an alliance with the AAP.

The Congress had reportedly tried to persuade its leaders in Delhi who were opposed to an alliance with AAP.

Gandhi’s call for a meeting came days after the AAP announced names of party candidates on six of seven seats in Delhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Kejriwal had in February said that if the Congress agrees to an alliance, the BJP will not be able to win a single seat in Delhi.

Following the lack of response from the Congress, the AAP on 2 March announced that AAP leaders Atishi will contest from East Delhi, Guggan Singh from North-West Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South, Dilip Pandey from North-East, Pankaj Gupta from Chandni Chowk and Brijesh Goyal will contest from New Delhi seats.

Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai said that the candidate for West Delhi will be announced soon.