The Central Election Committee of the Indian National Congress is set to commence its meeting today, March 10, as confirmed by senior Congress leader from Assam Debabrata Saikia.
The committee is expected to announce the list of candidates from Assam for the Lok Sabha polls on March 11.
Speaking to the media, Debabrata Saikia said, "Efforts were initiated by the party chief for strengthening and uniting the Opposition. And during that period few political parties even announced their candidate list while we were deciding on our candidate list. I am still hopeful that the parties that have announced their candidate list will sit for a discussion with our party leaders and come to an understanding. If these discussions fail to give any positive outcome, then surely we would be moving ahead. If Asom Jatiya Parishad, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, CPM or CPI, wish to put forward the names of their party candidates then the core committee formed by INDIA alliance will look into the matter. The committee after discussing with the leaders of other supporting parties, will come to a decision. If any sort of discussion needs to be initiated here in Assam with other party leaders, we will initiate that. But if no discussion is required then we will announce the names of the candidates. Also, the party had decided to field candidates for 14 seats. But because Asom Jatiya Parishad is also extending its support to us as part of the regional political party, then maybe the decision would be taken after a discussion with the chief of Assam Pradesh Congress and the party high command in Delhi", added Saikia further.
Congress released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on March 8.
The list includes nominees for constituencies in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura apart from Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana.
As per the list for Meghalaya- Vincent H Pala will contest from the Shillong- ST seat, Saleng A Sangma from Tura (ST). From Nagaland Congress has fielded S. Supongmeren Jamir and Gopal Chettri from Sikkim.
Meanwhile from Tripura West, Congress has fielded Ashish Kumar Saha.
Together, the party has released the names of 36 candidates from seven states while three candidates, two from Karnataka and one from Telangana, have been kept on hold.
In due course, further details regarding the candidates and their respective constituencies will be disclosed.
On the other hand, sitting MP Rahul Gandhi is set to contest from the Wayanad seat again.