The Delhi Congress has received over two dozen applications, predominantly from former government servants including ex-heads of now-defunct administration bodies, for a ticket from the prestigious New Delhi Assembly Constituency.
The Assembly seat became a highlight of the elections last year as Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal emerged a giant killer after he defeated former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The 18,000-odd votes polled in favour of the Ms. Dikshit proved no match to Mr. Kejriwal’s 44,269.
Apart from former Delhi Mayor Farhad Suri, among the applicants are R.N. Chandelia, who was member of the fourth and the last Delhi Metropolitan Council between 1983 and 1990, Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Market Association, and Ramesh Sabharwal, former Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation chairman.
In addition, Sukha Ram and Mahesh Bhatt, both former members of the New Delhi Municipal Council, have applied for a ticket from the constituency and would be in the fray as will be former party leader Usha Joshi.
“We have received around 24 applications for a ticket from the constituency – which is among the highest number in terms of expression of interest to contest the upcoming polls in relation to other seats,” a party source told The Hindu.
“The applications have been forwarded to the party headquarters. Now we are awaiting a formal nod from the party high command on who will contest directly against Mr. Kejriwal,” the source added.
According to senior leaders, the candidate from the constituency was likely to be announced in the second list which is expected soon.
