Winnability must be sole criterion for candidates: Deshmukh

With the Congress suffering a series of electoral reverses in Assembly elections in the past two years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Thursday said the High Command should make 8220;winnability8221; the sole criteria in selection of candidates in the general election.

Under fire from his detractors for his style of functioning, the CM who was here in connection with a meeting of the empowered group of ministers on salt pan land, told reporters that he was 8220;completely satisfied8221; with the functioning of his ministers. He skirted queries about the expansion of the state council of ministers.

Deshmukh said the BJP8217;s victory in Karnataka would have no impact in Maharashtra, as reasons for the electoral outcome in Karnataka were not applicable in the neighbouring state. Anti-incumbency against the JDS affected the Congress, too, he said.

Asked whether alliance partner NCP8217;s loss in the Thane Lok Sabha bypoll was a result of anti-incumbency against his Government, Deshmukh said 8220;anti-incumbency cannot be judged on performance in a single constituency8221;.