'AAP not an alternative, Congress will bounce back in 4-5 years'

Jamshedpur, Feb 12: The Congress on Thursday said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will not be an alternative to it and the party is efficient enough to bounce back in the next four-five years' time.

"I do not think AAP can be an alternative to Congress as it is over a century-old national political party with policies and ideology," AICC spokesman Dr Ajay Kumar said when asked whether AAP had emerged as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP in the country.

Describing the party's performance in the Delhi polls as "disappointing", Kumar said the party would introspect.

On the reasons behind AAP's landslide victory, Kumar said the AAP leadership was on the ground and succeeded to consolidate its position before the elections.

"Our traditional voters have voted for AAP after the pre-poll surveys predicted victory for the Arvind Kerjriwal-headed party," he said.

Addressing a press conference here, Kumar claimed Congress has been discharging its responsibility as a strong opposition in several states including Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan and was capable enough to bounce back to power in next four-five years time.

"We don't have a dearth in leadership, but need to shun the tendency of drawing-room politics and reach out to people in remote areas," he said.

PTI