The Congress decision to select candidates in time for the upcoming Assembly elections and drop those who are not capable of winning has made several sitting MLAs jittery. But it has galvanised party workers. Party sources said the Congress will shortlist the names of probables by August 22.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was candid in telling the party leaders in Rajasthan to dump those who were not able to perform in the elections. Sources said that Mr Gandhi made it clear at a meeting with the leaders in Delhi on Wednesday and also asked them for unity if they wanted to return to power.
According to party sources, his views caused concern for a few sitting MLAs and ministers, who could not perform well in their respective segments. “It is good that no one take it guaranteed that his ticket is final whether he performs or not,” said a district-level party functionary adding that some of the MLAs became arrogant.
The state unit of the Congress has geared up to process the selection of probable candidates and asked the block-level units to shortlist five or more names for respective constituencies. “The party is going to involve grassroots-level workers to suggest names as probable candidates. The ordinary workers will be made a part of the decision-making process. You know Rahulji wanted to involve grassroots workers,” said a party leader.