STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Congress decided that it is not just winnability but also one’s loyalty to the party leadership that will play a major role for a candidate in securing a party ticket to contest in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Bora stated this in front of reporters on Thursday. He said the decision was taken during a meeting of the Political Affairs department of the APCC on Wednesday evening regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. “It was decided that a candidate will not be judged by just the ability to win but also by his or her loyalty to the party’s leadership. The candidate should also be loyal to the party’s ideals,” said Bora.
This marked a significant change in the criteria for candidates to secure a party ticket to contest the polls. The APCC also released a list comprising the names of 84 candidates considered for contesting the polls in 14 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) of the state. AICC general secretary and Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh said a total of 72 candidates were considered at first. The other names were added later to arrive at the number of 84 candidates in the reckoning for 14 constituencies. It was also stated that a survey will be taken of the candidates in the respective constituencies before arriving at the final decision, after which the list will be announced.
Bhupen Bora said that only a candidate’s prospect of winning in the election was considered earlier as the basis for securing a party ticket. It was only in yesterday’s meeting that the criterion of loyalty to the party leadership was added. This has been done in view of the party leadership feeling ill at ease with some Congress leaders allegedly having a tacit understanding with other political parties. “There is no use giving a ticket to a candidate who does not have loyalty to the party’s leadership. We are not at ease with some leaders who have some kind of understanding with other parties,” Bora added.
The APCC president also said, “The list of 84 candidates has been forwarded to the AICC. The number of candidates on the list may later increase or decrease. After Durga Puja, we will seek applications from the candidates. We are mentally prepared to give some seats to our allies if an alliance happens. Till now, only the CPI (M) and Raijor Dal have sought constituencies. No talks have been held with AJP regarding this,” Bora added. Bora also stated that all the present 24 MLAs may not get tickets for the state assembly polls slated for 2026, and a few of them may be dropped.
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