The Ajay Maken-led Congress screening committee’s two-day discussions over selection of candidates for the Rajasthan assembly elections ended inconclusively in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The committee is likely to meet again on October 14-15 to shortlist the candidates and forward the list to the party’s chief election committee (CEC) headed by president Sonia Gandhi. The list would also be discussed with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. For the December 1 elections, the ruling party is expected to release its first list of candidates in October second half.
On day two also, the screening committee held discussions with each MP from the state separately to get a feedback on the ticket aspirants and the party’s prospects in the assembly constituencies under their Lok Sabha areas. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary in-charge Gurudas Kamat and his two deputies as well as PCC chief Chandrabhan were involved in the discussions.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Maken said, “We have only noted the senior leaders’ suggestions so far. Candidates will be shortlisted when we meet again later this month.” Besides Maken, Odisha MP R C Khuntia was present in the discussions organised at the Haryana state guest house in Chanakyapuri area.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot told reporters there that the candidate selection process was in tune with the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s directions. “The screening committee will again meet on October 14-15. We are trying to identify candidates who can win elections,” Gehlot said.
The screening committee held discussions mainly on the panel-names prepared by the state Congress’s pradesh election committee (PEC). Candidates suggested from outside the panel-names were also recorded by the screening committee, said sources.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Congress-panel-to-meet-again-to-shortlist-candidates/articleshow/23754707.cms