Though the Congress is yet to firm up an alliance in the State, it has not dampened the enthusiasm of the partymen from seeking tickets to contest in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Over 1000 aspirants submitted their applications for all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies on Tuesday, the last day for filing applications.
Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the headquarters of the Congress party, sprang to life with partymen in large numbers thronging it.
Many applications were filed on behalf of Union Ministers P. Chidambaram and G.K. Vasan, former Ministers Jayanthi Natarajan, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, K.V. Thangka Balu and Karti Chidambaram, the son of Mr. Chidambaram. A couple of applications asking TNCC president B.S. Gnanadesikan to contest from Madurai and Dindigul constituencies were also filed.
“The tremendous response from the partymen, despite the absence of any alliance partners goes to show that the spirit of the Congressmen in the State has not vanished. We, the leaders of the party, have failed to echo their feeling and channelise their energy,” said B.S. Gnanadesikan.
He said the Pradesh Election Committee would shortlist the candidates on Wednesday and feed the list of candidates on the docket prepared by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The list will be sent for the perusal of the screening committee headed by Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mr. Gnanadesikan and Congress Legislative Party leader Gopianath are also members of the screening committee. Subsequently, the Central Election Committee will study the list and finalise it.
Vijayakant to meet Prime MinisterAsked about the reports that Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant had sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said he had learnt that the actor-turned-politician was likely to meet the Prime Minister along with his party MLAs to submit a memorandum in connection with various issues including the attack on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The meeting will take place on February 14.
