Rajasthan Congress Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) on Monday has passed a resolution which lets AICC president Rahul Gandhi to make the final decision on the selection of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
While addressing reporters at the state party office in Jaipur after the PEC meeting, Kumari Selja, the chairperson of the party’s state election committee said, “The PEC today passed a proposal where all the members unanimously have left the final decision over party candidates on Gandhi. He will select the candidate and his decision will be final”. She also said that all the PEC members had participated in the meeting and given their suggestions on election strategy and what kind of candidates should be chosen.
AICC general secretary Avinash Pande and secretary in-charge has stated that for submitting more suggestions, the PEC members can meet the screening committee members, separately today and on October 12.
Selja said that the party has faced a lot of challenges and worked hard. “There are many candidates, which is also a challenge, but all have to work with patience. Everyone has worked hard. Keeping this in mind, we will make efforts to field winnable candidates. Efforts will be made to give opportunity to women and youth, and ensuring a social balance”, she said.
It was also declared at the meeting that if any senior leader recommends or backs a candidate then one must take his/her responsibility. When asked about the criteria of candidate selection she maintained that those who have more chances to win will be chosen.
According to reports, the party is denying ticket to those who lost with large margin in last elections or tickets to MPs and former MPs in assembly elections.
She also said people in the state have decided to support Congress and oust BJP as the people are disgruntled with the current government.
Senior Congress leaders including AICC general secretaries Ashok Gehlot, CP Joshi and Mohan Prakash, former state party presidents Girija Vyas, Chandrabhan, BD Kalla and Narayan Singh were present in the meeting.