No scramble for tickets in Chhattisgarh: Cong leaders

Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) leaders refuted allegations that prospective party candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections are making a beeline to the Congress Bhawan, in Raipur, from different parts of the state and creating a ruckus over the delay in clearance of candidature.

On a daily basis, hundreds of prospective candidates are flocking in Raipur for obtaining a no objection certificate (NoC) from the party treasurer before filing the form for candidature.

Citing the Manmohan Singh Committee's recommendations, CPCC senior spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, who has also filed an application for candidature from Baloda Bazar, said the panel had laid specific directives for the filing of names for candidature.

The prospective candidates have to obtain a NoC from the party treasurer before placing the claim as a party candidate.

The committee has fixed specific fees for everyone, including MLAs, MPs, former MLAs, former MPs, party office bearers and the common party worker.

Senior Congress leader Ram Kumar Agrawal said that MLAs have to submit their one month salary for the party which is around Rs 10,000, while for lower party cadre it could be even Rs 5.

For candidature, the party has provided a clause, which is to clear all party-related dues before making a claim.

"It depends on the party worker and leaders if they are ready to contribute more. There is no restriction on it. It is all accounted money," he added.

Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Pramod Dubey claimed that it provides funds to run the party.

Earlier, a party candidate would have to make a beeline before the party leaders, with more than seven to 10 biodata to stake claim. But now, it starts from the block level.

All prospective candidates application is screened at the district level and then at the state level.

It is then forwarded to AICC headquarters for clearance. So, now there is no need to make a beeline for the senior party leaders or party office.

Once submitted at the block level, then forms would go through the natural party official process.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, in his earlier visit to the state had said that he would announce the name of candidates in the month of August.

Meanwhile, CPCC general secretary and communication department head Shailesh Nitin Trivedi issued a statement that for Assembly elections, an amendment has been made in the condition of compulsory NoC.

All the district, town, and block Congress committees’ presidents have been issued a circular that as per the decision of state screening committee meeting held recently, the last date for filing of the candidature is August 7.