Raipur, Nov 11: Under attack from a section of partymen including minister of state for industry Vidhan Mishra over ticket distribution for the assembly polls, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today termed it as an "internal matter" of the party even as he ruled out any change in candidates announced so far. "It is an internal matter of Congress and I do not want to answer any question in that regard outside the party platform," Jogi told reporters here when asked about Mishra's allegation that people having corrupt image were given tickets whereas he was denied candidature from Dharsiwa despite having a clean image.

Asked about pressures to change the announced party candidates, he asserted there will not be any change. Candidates and in regard to the 17 seats whose names of list has not yet been announced The Chief Minister said the candidates for the remaining 17 seats will be declared soon.

He said resentment about ticket distribution was natural since there were hundreds of aspirants and the party can nominate only one candidate from each of the 90 constituencies in the state.

Dismissing the allegation of a section of partymen, including Mishra that caste was a factor in finalising tickets, Jogi said there was only one criteria and that was winability or electoral merit of the candidate. Bureau Report