Haryana Congress authorises Kharge to finalise nominees

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 21

The Pradesh Election Committee of the Congress today passed a resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to take a call on the final selection of candidates. State in-charge Deepak Babaria, state president Udai Bhan, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Union Minister Kumari Selja, and general secretary Randeep Surjewala were present at the meeting. The members were informed that screening committee meetings under the party’s national treasurer Ajay Maken would start from August 26 onwards. Additionally, Pradesh Election Committee members can submit the names of ticket seekers to Bhan and screening committee for consideration. These names will be in addition to those aspirants who have applied through the application fee. As many as 2,556 candidates have applied through the due process.

“It was discussed that the women, youth, and Backward Classes will be given prominence in the candidates’ list,” said Deputy Congress Legislative Party leader Aftab Ahmed. The date for the issuance of the gazette notification for polls in Haryana is September 5, with September 12 being the last date for filing nominations. The polling will take place on October 1, and the counting will be on October 4.

“Today’s meeting was held in preparation for the upcoming state Assembly polls. The Congress president will make the final decision on candidates. A resolution has been passed in this regard. From August 26 onwards, screening committee meetings will commence. By August 23, members of the Pradesh Election Committee can submit the names of aspirants to the PCC and the screening committee chairman,” Babaria told mediapersons after the meeting.

He said, “The day before yesterday, a meeting took place at the AICC where Rahul Gandhi (Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha) suggested giving prominence to women candidates for the Assembly elections.”

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