Overcoming hiccup, the Congress is hopeful of releasing the first list of its candidates either on November 4 or 5 as the short listing of hopefuls has almost come to a climax.
The AICC screening committee his expected to vet the list in a day or two and forward it to the core committee which is likely to meet on October 29 or 30. “The screening committee is meeting leaders in New Delhi for the last two days and the work will be completed thereafter. A list with single names of candidates will be put before the core committee at its meeting during the month end,” sources close to AICC secretary in-charge of Telangana R.C.Khuntia said.
Consultations
The screening panel on Monday held consultations with the SC/ST leaders and also received representations from the hopeful. It is understood that the BC, SC and ST leaders represented to the screening committee that at least 32 seats should be allotted to the BCs, 12 to Madigas and seven to Malas. There was demand that six Adivasi and equal number of Lambadas should be fielded in the Assembly elections. Manifesto committee chairman Damodar Raj Narasimha, campaign committee chairman Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, AICC secretary Sampath Kumar, former Ministers - J. Geetha Reddy and Prasad Kumar met screening committee chairman Bhakta Charan Das in New Delhi today. When contacted, Mr. Khuntia said that the list of candidates was taking final shape and it could be announced any time in November first week. “The core committee will approve the list sent by the screening committee in the last week of this month,” he said.
Seats for partners
Queried about the alliance, Mr. Khuntia hinted that there was no problem from the Congress on seat-sharing. “We have all the respect for Prof Kodandaram, CPI and TDP leaders. The alliance will take shape in next three four days,” he told The Hindu from New Delhi. Indications available suggest that 24 or 25 seats will go to the alliance partners. Sources, however, said that the Congress leadership was worried about possible disgruntlement once the seat-sharing pact was made public. “We fear trouble from our own partymen in certain constituencies. But all this will fade away as people want the TRS to be defeated,” the source remarked.
Meanwhle, Telangana Mahila Congress Committee president Nerella Sharada chaired a meeting of the women wing today seeking fair deal in seats for women. All India Mahila Congrss general secretary Janet D'Souza and national co-ordinator, All India Mahila Congress Dr. Chaman Farzana were present.
