Bhopal, Nov 01: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh announced the first list of Congress candidates for the upcoming state Assembly polls here today. Names of Congress candidates for 220 of a total of 230 seats were announced, while names for nine other seats will be announced later. "We have given priority to women and youth candidates", said Ambika Soni, party in-charge for MP elections, adding that 34 women candidates have been fielded in the state.
20 present legislators have been left out from the electoral list. Names for the remaining nine seats will be announced after a meeting of the party screening committee tomorrow.
Finalised candidates include Ratnesh Soloman, brother-in-law of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. "Soloman is a political candidate in his own right", said Digvijay Singh. "His candidature has nothing to do with his brother-in-law".
Commenting on the prospects of an electoral alliance with the BSP, Digvijay Singh said while no such proposal had been presented to him yet, the political climate was unpredictable and he couldn`t speak for the future.
It seems apparent that the Congress high command is placing full faith in Digvijay Singh`s "election management" policy for pulling off a third consecutive win in the state. The CM has been given a free hand in the selection of candidates.
Bureau Report