Congress may delay list of candidates till month-end

Hyderabad: The announcement of the list of Congress nominees in the upcoming Assembly elections is likely to be further delayed. According to sources in the TPCC, the high command may announce the list in the last week of this month.

The arrangements for the visit of Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Adilabad and Nizamabad districts on October 20 is keeping local Congress leaders busy. Mr Rahul Gandhi will participate in a Sadbhavana Yatra at Charminar before addressing public meetings at Bhainsa and Kamareddy on Saturday.

Secondly, the seats adjustment among the Prajakutami partners has not been completed, which has beco-me a hurdle for the anno-uncement of Congress candidates. Senior Prajakuta-mi leaders said that there was a gentlemen agreement among the allies that no party would announce its candidates till the seat adjustment is finalised.

The AICC screening committee headed by Mr Bhakta Charan Das has almost finalised the list after having discussions with the TPCC election committee members, district Congress presidents and others. The Das Committee left to Delhi with the shortlist of candidates list on October 13.

The TPCC has appointed a committee headed by senior leader K. Jana Reddy to hold discussions with the Prajakutami allies on seat sharing. A TPCC leader said that the seat formula may be finalised by October 25. After Mr Rahul Gandhi’s visit, TPCC leaders will concentrate on discussions with other parties. The only stumbling block in the seat sharing talks is with the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS). TPCC leaders have come to a conclusion the seats to be allotted to the Telugu Desam and the CPI. 

The Prajakutami has prepared a common minimum programme and had considered announcing on October 2, Gandhi Jayanthi. But this was also held back as the partners had not sealed the seats deal. Once the seats amicably shared, the Prajakutami will announce the common minimum program and the list of their candidates and may take up a joint campaign.