After the letter of 5 MPs, Congress took a big step, changed the internal election rules
Following a demand from a section of senior Congress leaders, the party leadership agreed to make a major change in the voting process ahead of the crucial election for the post of president. Anyone who wants to file nomination for the post of Congress President will be able to see the list of all the 9,000 delegates that make up the electoral college. Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry has said that this list will be available in the office of the party’s Central Election Authority from September 20.
The move comes after five MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, Karti Chidambaram and Manish Tewari, wrote to Mistry demanding “transparency, fairness” in the election process.
The election of the Congress President will be held on October 17 and nominations can be filed from September 24 to 30.
Mistry, chairman of the party’s Central Election Authority, has said that those who want to contest elections can see the names of 10 delegates from their state in the state Congress office.
He said in a letter to the MPs that once the nominations are signed and handed over to the Chief Returning Officer, they will get the complete list of delegates.
Also he said, ‘If anyone wants nominations from ten supporters from different states, list of all 9000+ delegates to file nominations from September 20 (11 am to 6 pm) at my office in AICC, Delhi on September 24. will be available before
“They can come and select their 10 supporters (delegates) from the list and get them (delegates) to sign for nominations,” he said.
Mistry also said in his letter, ‘I hope this will satisfy you and other colleagues (who have signed the letter). I thank Shashi ji for calling me today and talking to me.
Welcoming this move, Shashi Tharoor tweeted that I am glad that this step has been taken in response to our letter. I am satisfied with this. Many will be happy with this step in the election process, in my view it will only strengthen the party.
I am pleased that this clarification has come in the form of his constructive reply to our letter (attached). In view of these assurances, I am satisfied. Many will be glad to move on with an election process that in my view will only strengthen the party. pic.twitter.com/y5Q1WgFGwl
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 10, 2022
After the resignation of many senior leaders of the Congress party, the election for the post of party president is going to be held. Recently, senior party leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad left the party. The demand for Baldav in the party has gained strength after senior leaders quit the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Party leader Rahul Gandhi is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to garner support for the elections. Rahul Gandhi, who stepped down as party president in 2019 and has been in constant denial of the post since then. During the visit, he said, ‘Whether I will become the Congress President or not, it will be clear when the elections are held.’ At present, Sonia Gandhi is heading the party.
Let us tell you, in a letter to Mistry, five MPs had demanded that electoral rolls should be provided to the electors and potential candidates.
The MPs wrote, “We are not suggesting that any internal party document should be released in such a way as to give an opportunity to those who want to see us weak.”
“We are of the firm view that before the nomination process begins, the Central Election Authority (CEA) of the party should provide a list of delegates to the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), who form the electoral college,” the letter read.
