Congress8217; first poll list delayed

However, the delay has put the party and its candidates in a no-win situation in terms of election campaigning. While both major rivals 8211; the Nationalist Congress Party NCP and the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance 8211; are already into the first phase of intensive campaign, Congressmen in various constituencies are spending their time wondering who the candidate will be.

The nature andlength of the party8217;s campaign will be significant, say Congressmen, because there has been fierce competition in some constituencies for the ticket particularly for the Assembly election and there may be chances of internal rebellion. Also prospective Congress candidates are diffident about responding to the charge of party president Sonia Gandhi8217;s foreign origin and hope that the PCC will give them pointers to adequately respond from public platforms. The party8217;s manifesto for the State is reported to be ready but there has been some delay there too. It will be released only early next week; copies are being printed, said Patil. He denied that the Republican Party of India factions led by Prakash Ambedkar and R S Gavai-Jogendra Kawade have not made two separate lists of demands for seats. We treat them as one and we will allot the appropriate seats to them during the final talks, he added.