AAP forms screening committee to shortlist MCD poll candidates

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has formed a screening committee involving party MLAs to shortlist candidates for upcoming MCD polls, diverting its focus on the national Capital after Punjab and Goa polls.

Party's Delhi convenor Dilip Pandey, vice-presidents of the city unit and ministers Satyendar Jain and Kapil Mishra are part of the committee.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be reviewing the entire process.

After filtering the list, the names will be forwarded to the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the apex decision- making body of the party. The PAC will have the final say on the candidates.

Party MLAs have been asked to recommend candidates to the screening committee.

Confirming the development, Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba said: "We have been asked to recommend candidates. I have appealed to people that those who wish to contest MCD polls can give their names.

"Our party volunteers will vote for the best candidate and the names will be forwarded to the Selection Committee," Lamba said.

She said the Jama Masjid ward in her constituency has already shortlisted three prospective women candidates. Her constituency has two more wards — Chandni Chowk and Civil Lines.

Lamba added that party volunteers would be voting to select prospective candidates for these three wards on February 15.

This will be AAP's first full-fledged contest in Delhi's three civic bodies. In the by-polls in 13 wards held last year, the AAP won five, faring below party's expectations.

The AAP has been mounting attack on the BJP-led MCDs for alleged financial irregularities.