Congress Lures Dissidents with Promise of 1,000 Nominated Posts

HYDERABAD: In an attempt quell dissent in its ranks, the Congress is promising 1,000 nominated posts to its leaders, who fail to get party ticket to contest the Assembly elections, if the party comes to power.

With the party expected to release its first list of candidates on October 16, the leadership is fearing a backlash and resentment among those denied tickets, given that there are multiple aspirants for tickets in many Assembly constituencies.

Apart from around 1,000 existing nominated posts in government, local bodies, temples and market committees, among others, the Congress leadership, if elected to power, is planning to create over 50 new corporations for the upliftment of Backward Classes and appoint chairpersons, with a Cabinet rank, to these corporations.

Besides, chairpersons and vice-chairperson posts will also have to be filled in District Cooperative Central Banks (DCCBs) and District Cooperative Marketing Societies (DCMS) in each district. Members will be appointed to these bodies, with DCCBs and DCMSes creating nearly 200 nominated posts.

Further, co-option members will be appointed to municipal corporations and municipalities across the state. The leaders will also be nominated to the boards of various temples across the state. Hundreds of nominated posts in agriculture market committees will also be filled.

The party leadership was able to achieve consensus on the selection of candidates for only 70 Assembly constituencies so far, of the total 119 Assembly constituencies, according to party sources. Even in these 70 constituencies, there are multiple aspirants, but the party wants to pacify leaders who will be denied tickets with nominated posts.

In the remaining 49 seats, there is stiff competition for at least 30 seats, where there are three to four serious contenders.

The party wants to convince them to work together to bring the Congress to power first, and later, the party will reward them with nominated posts in the government. The party leadership is also promising MLC posts and Rajya Sabha member posts for top leaders who fail to secure tickets due to political and caste equations.