Differences delay Cong’s list of candidates for Delhi poll

New Delhi:  Differences of opinion among members of Congress’ Election Committee on Friday resulted further delay in finalising broad guidelines for selecting the party’s candidates for 70 constituencies in coming assembly elections. At a meeting, members 

of the Election Committee deliberated on the issue but could not arrive at a final decision on finalising criteria for selecting the candidates.

Sources said chief minister Sheila Dikshit was in favour of sending the names of almost all sitting MLAs to the AICC Screening Committee, which was opposed by a number of members. They said there have been serious criminal charges against a number of sitting MLAs and the issue should be deliberated upon further. 

The sources, however, said a majority of sitting MLAs are likely to be given tickets. They said the committee will hold detailed deliberations on finalising panel candidates for 27 

seats where it had lost in 2008 polls.

A number of Election Committee members opposed giving tickets to transport minister Ramakant Goswami from Rajinder Nagar constituency saying his name has not 

been recommended by Block Congress.

Similarly, some of them said sitting MLA from Adarsh Nagar Mangat Ram Singhal should not be given ticket as there is ‘little chance’ of his winning. Around 1,600 Congress men have applied 

for tickets.