Friday, 27 December 2024 | Gajendra Singh Negi | Dehradun
Internal squabble and large number of aspirants has resulted in a delay in the process of the selection of the candidates of the Congress party for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in the State. The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) is waiting for the report of the observers appointed by it in all the districts of the State. The PCC had set Wednesday as the last date for the observers to submit their report but till Thursday not all observers had submitted their report.
The party had intended to finalise the names of the Mayoral candidates in 11 municipal corporations and announce the names of the candidates ahead of the ruling BJP. However due to the delay in submission of the reports by the observers the candidate declaration can take place at least two to three days more. The process of nomination for different posts in the 100 ULBs of the state is commencing from Friday (December 27). It is learnt that the internal differences over the choice of the candidates, interference of senior leaders and large number of aspirants is forcing the observers to hold their report. For example there are more than 20 aspirants for the Congress party’s ticket for the post of Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Dehradun.
The PCC will forward the report of the observers to the seven member screening committee which will mull over the names and prepare a panel of the candidates for the post of Mayors. The announcement of the final list of candidates is expected after endorsement of the party high command and the State in charge.
On Wednesday the members of the screening committee held a round of discussions at the residence of the leader of opposition (LoP) in State assembly Yashpal Arya. Former chief minister Harish Rawat, the co- in-charge of the State Congress Surendra Sharma, the PCC president Karan Mahara, LoP in State assembly Arya, former PCC presidents Pritam Singh and Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat and the deputy leader of Congress legislature party (CLP) in State assembly Bhuwan Kapdi are the members of the screening committee.
The vice president (organisation) of the Uttarakhand Congress Mathuradutt Joshi told The Pioneer that the process of the selection of the candidates is in the final stage and the list is expected soon.
The elections will be held in 11 municipal corporations, 43 Nagar Palikas and 46 Nagar Panchayats. The last date for filing of the nomination papers is December 30 and the voting will be held from 8 am to 5 pm on January 23.
