The Congress party is known for dodging the announcement of its candidates for any assembly elections in any state for various reasons, particularly infighting in the party which leads to revolt by rebel candidates.
As a result of this delay in the announcement of candidates which is done in the eleventh hour – sometimes till the last day of nominations, the party always lags behind its rivals in the election campaign.
But it appears the Congress high command has decided to announce its candidates for the Telangana assembly elections well in advance.
According to senior party leader and Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, the Congress high command would announce the candidate for majority of seats in July itself.
“Except some controversial seats, the announcement of candidates for other seats would be done in July itself. Maybe, the candidates would be finalised for at least 70 seats next month. This would also bring down the rush to Delhi for lobbying,” Komatireddy said, after attending the strategy committee meeting of the party in Delhi.
He said Rahul Gandhi had clearly told the PCC to finalise the party manifesto and the candidates for whom tickets could be given.
“He asked us to decide on the seats and manifesto and send them to the high command for approval,” the MP said.
AICC president Mallikharjun Kharge also told the party leaders to prepare a simple manifesto with promises which are implementable.
“Keep the state budget in view before making promises in the manifesto,” he said.
The party high command also made it clear that the Congress would go alone in the coming assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi assured that he would tour Telangana, whenever it is needed.
Komatireddy said he would contest for the assembly elections and not the Lok Sabha elections. He made it clear that this would be his last election and after that he would retire from active politics.