New Delhi: The Congress screening committee has started filtering names of prospective candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls, as the party central election committee (CEC) is likely to meet on January 10 to finalise names.
According to the party, the winnability is the criteria for selection of candidates as many senior leaders are keen to contest the polls. The Congress has no member in the outgoing Assembly.
P.C. Chacko, the party’s in-charge for Delhi, said, “Candidates for each constituency are being considered. The party has not asked senior leaders to contest, unlike the Lok Sabha polls, but if they seek ticket the party will take a view.”
In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, even three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit contested. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the polls winning all the seven seats in the national capital.
Many veterans, including state party chief Subash Chopra, Parvez Hashmi, Master Bijender and Krishna Tirath, are keen to contest the polls. Those close to late Sheela Dikshit are also seeking the ticket.
It is facing the tough task of balancing several factions in the party.
Many young leaders are also in the race for the party ticket, expecting support from Rahul Gandhi who has been backing youth in the ticket distribution.
However, the Congress has tough battle ahead, given an entrenched Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and an aggressive BJP are raring to go the whole hog in polls, likely by February.
The Congress manifesto may see many promises, including the free 600 unit power and the Sheela Pensions for old age and destitute.