Cong sets a date,to announce first list of candidates by June 30

While AICC’s 10 observers have been asked to provide additional information,a final decision cannot be made until the PCC’s 100-odd observers also submit their reports by the end of this month. The party high command will consider the recommendations of both sets of observers while deciding the candidates.

The PCC has formed constituency-level election committees,which have been asked to recommend probable candidates by May 31. Their lists will be screened by the recently constituted state election committee,which includes Rahul Gandhi,Rita Bahuguna Joshi,Pramod Tiwari,P L Punia,Beni Prasad Verma,Salman Khurshid and Jitin Prasada.

In order to minimise friction later,instructions have been issued to include representatives of all senior leaders of the area,representatives of the party’s SC/ST,OBC and minority cells,representatives of Mahila Congress,Youth Congress and NSUI in each constituency-level election committee.

“The idea is to take everyone along. If a committee with representatives from all fronts decides on a panel of names,the belief is that they will work to ensure the victory of the candidate who is finally selected,” said a senior party leader. The committees have been asked to submit a panel of a maximum of five names,which is to be decided in a meeting held in the presence of PCC observers.

“While all will be heard,winnability of the candidates will the main factor. We are hopeful that the task will be done within the targeted time,i.e.,May 31. For Lucknow,I have called a meeting on May 30,” said Digvijay Singh of Balia,who has been made observer for the Assembly segments in Lucknow.