Bhubaneswar: The Screening Committee of All India Congress Committee (AICC) headed by VD Satheesan Wednesday completed the screening of possible candidates for the upcoming general and Assembly elections. Satheesan said names of candidates are likely to be finalised by March 10.
The committee has completed reviewing 147 Assembly and 21 Lok Sabha (LS) seats in two phases. “We are preparing a list of candidates. There is a meeting of Pradesh Election Committee March 6 for the approval of the list, which will then be sent to Central Election Committee. I hope the list will be announced before March 10.”
“Those having wining ability will be given tickets. Beside, focus will be given on new faces, young and women candidates,” said state Congress president Niranjan Patnaik.
In first phase, the committee has finalised names of two to four candidates for 11 LS segments and 77 Assembly seats while in second phase they have prepared list of candidates for 10 Lok Sabha constituencies and all Assembly segments coming under these LS seats, sources said.
The BJP has also completed the exercise for finalisation of possible candidates for 100 Assembly and 18 LS seats, party sources said.
The ruling BJD is tense over ticket distribution as the number of aspirants is quite high. “As we are a big family, there is no doubt that there will be more aspirants. But, all are disciplined and our party president will take decision which will be abided by all,” said BJD spokesperson Samir Das.