Guwahati, Mar 24: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has denied that he was being ''systematically sidestepped'' by the AICC in the selection procedure of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha candidates. There had been a series of media reports on how Gogoi's candidates both in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were being sidelined. This was, however, contradicted by Gogoi while addressing a news conference. He said, '' first choice candidate would be Sylvius Condpan and his victory was certain, but efforts are on to get the support of other opposition parties so that second choice candidate of the Congress Anowara Taimur also gets elected.'' The Congress high command selected Condpan, but Gogoi got angry at not being able to get his men nominated and forced the AICC at the last minute to nominate the second candidate also in the name of Condpan. Gogoi denied that he was being ignored, saying Condpan's name was cleared with my concurrence. ''Similarly there are suggestions that in some constituencies like Barpeta, despite my opposition some candidates have been renominated. But the truth is that the AICC selected those amongst the panel, prepared by us. The high command has never imposed any candidate on us,'' he said. Though two of his candidates got tickets, his choice was ignored in another. ''I do not think I have any problem with state Congress president Paban Singh Ghatowar. Already thrice I had visited his constituency,'' he said. Bureau Report