Congress panel split over projecting CM nominees

With a section of the Congress pinning the blame for the party8217;s successive electoral reverses on a 8220;faceless8221; campaign, a high-level committee, set up to plan a roadmap for the party for the forthcoming Assembly and parliamentary elections, on Thursday discussed the pros and cons of projecting a chief ministerial candidate before the elections.

The A K Antony-led committee, which met here, could not reach a conclusion though, said party sources. Party leaders were of the view that projecting a CM candidate, especially when he or she lacks mass appeal, could result in the common man identifying the party with a particular caste or community. This could be counter-productive. Besides, the Congress did not have the tradition of projecting a CM candidate in elections. The counter view that has gained currency following the party8217;s reverses in Gujarat and Karnataka is that the voters are reluctant to cast their vote for a 8216;faceless8217; party.

Members were also of the view that the party should announce its candidates for elections much in advance. AICC general secretaries Digvijay Singh and Mukul Wasnik would prepare a draft report, which would be approved by the committee at its final meeting on June 21.