Telangana assembly poll: Congress’ first list of candidates to be out in July

Hyderabad: All India Congress Committee (AICC) is likely to announce the first list of its candidates for the Telangana assembly poll next month.

The party will constitute a screening committee within a week to identify candidates for the election.

According to party sources, AICC will approve a ‘screening committee’ within a week. This may be much in advance, but the issue was discussed on Wednesday in Delhi.

“AICC General Secretary, K C Venugopal will be taking a call and the screening committee will be constituted within a week or so. This is much in advance, but Karnataka experience has prompted to speed up the process to get good results in Telangana,” said a former MP who was present in the meeting of AICC president, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to chalk out strategy on Tuesday.

Likely to clear first list by July end

Besides constituting a steering committee for election, the party will also be announcing the first list of candidates to ease things and prevent exodus. Following the screening committee’s clearance in Telangana for the names of the ticket aspirants, the AICC will be scrutinizing the list, before giving a nod for making it public.

AICC to act tough against dissenting voices

While adopting the success formula from Karnataka, the AICC has decided to crack a whip on those people who go against the party’s interest.

“There was a clear message from Rahul Gandhi that the party will no longer tolerate those damaging the party's prospects. Those who are indulging in activities that are detrimental to the party’s interest will be suspended. It was clear from the meeting that High Command was closely watching everyone and who is sincerely working for the party,” informed a PCC spokesperson.

Issues should be resolved amicably

There were clear instructions to party leaders to avoid bringing more trouble to the party by going public. If there are any issues, they should be brought to the notice of in-charges and resolved amicably.

“The message was clear that those who wish to continue in the party should avoid indulging in raising furor, as this would end up helping the ruling BRS and the leaders will be ending up unintentionally playing into the hands of rival parties,” said the spokesperson.