According to the Congress insiders, deemed privy to the mind of the party high command, things are gloomy for those who have been propping up their offspring to plunge into the electoral hurly burly during the upcoming Assembly election. There is a buzz running in the state Congress roost that the party top brass based in Delhi has made it clear that only one member from a single family would get ticket. Besides, they are understood to have decided that the party candidates who lost the last election by a margin of 5,000 votes or more would not get the tickets this time and would be replaced by better candidates .
“Things are turning interesting. It is to be seen whether the Chief Minister Harish Rawat would cling to his decision of not contesting this time. In case he does it would have to be seen who among his three offspring-two sons and one daughter- he would drag into the electoral contest. Besides, at least two important cabinet ministers- Indira Hridayesh and Yashpal Arya-are eager to have their sons given tickets from safe seats. If the high command really decides to go for the one family one ticket norm it would be a tactical triumph for the Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyay who has been insisting on the party abiding by this norm. And it would be at the same time a setback for some, including the CM.
It is well-known that Harish Rawat has been canvassing to put up his daughter Anupma Rawat from a seat in Haridwar district and his son Anand Rawat from lalkuan constituency,” said a party insider.
However, at the same time, the Congress leadership is worried over many ticket hopefuls sounding eager to throw their hats in the ring for the ten seats which are now unrepresented following the disqualification of the MlAs after they turned rebels and switched to BJP. “The number of leaders canvassing for these seats is high as they are confident to retain these seats for the party, these areas known as traditional Congress redoubts. The party high command is facing a tough task in selecting candidates for these high-voltage seats who can adequately throw down the gauntlet to the rebel-turned BJP leaders who are charismatic leaders on their own rights,” said a senior state party leader.
