The flip-flop on the alliance with the AAP in Delhi, the latest being Congress asking its workers views on the party’s Shakti app regarding stitching tie-up with Arvind Kejriwal has led to differences within the Delhi Congress.

Sheila Dikshit and Ajay Maken have taken heads on with the former expressing her desire to have no truck with the AAP which uprooted the 15-year rule of Congress in Delhi. On the other hand, Maken is pushing for an alliance with the AAP to keep the BJP away on seven Lok Sabha seats in the national Capital.

Sheila was Chief Minister of Delhi for three terms and after a gap of three years she was brought to the helms of affair of Delhi unit by removing Maken as Delhi Congress president.

The fresh tussle between the two factions has come after party chief Rahul Gandhi early this week announced about no alliance in Delhi and that the Congress has to win back all the seats. Maken claims that AICC Delhi incharge P C Chacko is also inclined for the tie up. Sheila after a meeting with Rahul too clarified that there is unanimity against alliance with the AAP.

The Congress on Wednesday sought opinion from party workers of Delhi region to which Sheila feigned ignorance and said she did not know about such a move by the party prompting Maken to react.

“This is Rahul’s decision. It is under the direction of Rahul that this referendum, in a way, is being done. So, if anyone is questioning in the Congress, the decision of Rahul, I think it’s wrong. The app is controlled by data department which comes directly under Rahul,” Maken said.

The Congress through its Shakti app uploaded an audio clip of AICC in-charge PC Chacko, asking 52,000 registered party workers in Delhi about their views on an alliance with the AAP.

Sheila questioned the move and said it is “overriding” the decision taken against the alliance by Rahul. “There should be no confusion. Our stand remains what it was,” she said referring to her meeting with Rahul earlier this month after which she had said there was unanimity in the party against alliance with the AAP in Delhi.

The survey was concluded on Thursday. The Delhi Congress leaders sought to downplay the matter saying “difference of opinion” is a sign of healthy democratic system in the party”.

 “It is only logical that people have different opinion on some issue. It is a sign of healthy democratic system in the party,” said Delhi Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia.

Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday hit out at Sheila after she heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kejriwal termed it surprising as her statement indicated something is going on between the BJP and the Congress.

Kejriwal’s reaction came in response to Sheila’s interview to a TV news channel in which she said the former Congress Prime minister Manmohan Singh was not as tough in dealing with terrorism as Modi.