Congress says ‘no’ to alliance with AAP: Kejriwal

New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) A day after meeting Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the Congress had "almost said no" for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national capital.

Asked about the possibilities of an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal said: "They (Congress) have almost said 'no' for an alliance."

Asked if he was desperate for a tie-up with the Congress, Kejriwal said: "We are watching the condition of the nation -- how it has been harmed in the last five years. We are worried. The reason we are desperate for an alliance is to save the nation."

He said he believes that throughout the country there should be only one candidate against the BJP in every constituency as a third candidate would eat into anti-BJP votes, benefitting the ruling party.

"I believe that the country is facing a challenge and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (BJP President Amit) Shah must be removed. For that it is very important that against the BJP, only one candidate is put up so that the anti-BJP votes are not distributed. All should understand this," he said.

"So, if in Delhi two candidates fight against the BJP, the BJP will get the benefit. In UP, if a third candidate is fighting apart from the SP and BSP, it will benefit the BJP. All parties should understand this."

Speculation has persisted about a possible electoral alliance between the Congress and the AAP in Delhi.

The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal was held on Thursday in the presence of other opposition leaders at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar.