To discuss the names of probable candidates for the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party's Central Election Committee (CEC) held a meeting on Monday.
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Congress CEC for Uttar Pradesh held a virtual meeting in the evening.
According to sources, the first list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly election would be announced soon. The party is facing a tough time in finding potential female candidates, especially as Congress general secretary and incharge UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has made it clear that she will field at least 40 per cent women candidates in the present assembly polls in UP. Though a big number of women have applied for the tickets but as majority of them are new to the party, it is very difficult for the CEC to find suitable candidates.
Earlier on January 8, when the Election Commission announced the poll schedule of five states, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had kicked off her digital campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in view of rising COVID-19 cases. After the EC banned physical rallies till January 15, the Congress is gearing up to conduct virtual rallies.