Unable to decide on its mayoral candidate for lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh Congress created a huge confusion amongst voters when two of its official candidates – Suman Sharma and Prema Awasthi along with rebel candidate Ansuiya Sharma —- filed their papers for mayoral election in the state capital. Interestingly, the party changed its candidates minutes before the time for filing of nomination ended. On Monday night, the party had decided to field retired IAS officer Kusum Sharma but on second thought, it announced Prema Awasthi as the mayoral candidate on Tuesday afternoon.
Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan confirmed the change but did not give any reason for the last-minute decision. As a result, confusion prevailed as Kusum Sharma filed her nomination while Prema Awasthi also filed her papers. Prema Awasthi is the widow of Congress leader Puttu Awasthi. Another rebel candidate Ansuiya Sharma, who also filed her papers, claimed that leaders in the state were ignoring workers even as Congress president Sonia Gandhi had always harped on protecting the interests of trusted party cadres. She claimed to have applied for a ticket for mayoral poll and was confident that she would be fielded but was shocked to hear the announcement about Prema Awasthi as mayoral candidate. When asked whether she would contest the poll, Sharma claimed that if senior leaders discussed the issue and promise to safeguard the interest of workers, she could withdraw her candidature else she would contest as an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, the state Congress will observe ‘black day’ on demonetisation anniversary on Wednesday in defiance of the model code of conduct in force due to upcoming civic elections. A week ago, the party had announced that it would organise protests across the state, but it remains to be seen how the Congress would proceed without seeking permission from State Election Commissioner. State Congress chief Raj Babbar said that the party would observe Wednesday as ‘black day’ across the country to highlight the ill-effects of demonetisation. On November 8 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent shock waves by scrapping currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination. “We will observe November 8 as a ‘black day for the economy’ throughout the state and take out a candlelight march in the evening. During the day, meetings, processions and nukkad sabhas will also be held. We will also pay tribute to martyrs of the malady (balidaaniyo) tomorrow,” Babbar said. The Congress is also expected to send a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office demanding compensation of Rs 25 lakh to those families who lost their near ones during demonetisation and job to one of the kin.