After the announcement of Bharatiya Janata Party’s list of candidates for the first phase of elections, Congress will most probably announce its second list of candidates on October 21. In this list supporters of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi are likely to be given preference, party sources said. According to sources, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Charandas Mahant and Congress legislature Party leader Ravindra Choubey have held many rounds of talks with the Congress Screening Committee chairman CP Joshi. The next meeting of the screening committee is scheduled on October 21.
According to party sources, meeting of the screening committee was also held on Thursday till late night and barring a few on most of the remaining 73 seats one member panel have been prepared. Seats like Dharsiwa, Aarang, Baloda Bazaar and a few others needed some more discussions.
Meanwhile, from Raipur South name of Raipur Mayor Kiranmoyee Nayak, from Raipur North Kuldip Juneja, from Raipur West Vikash Upadhyay, from Raipur (Rural) Satya Narayan Sharma, from Abhanpur Dhanendra Sahu and from Bhatapara Chaitram Sahu are considered as final.
According to sources, on some of the seats held by Congress MlAs difference existed between Joshi and state leadership as Mahant- Choubey combine supported fielding sitting MlAs instead of denying ticket to those from whose constituency lesser number of votes were received during the last Parliamentary election as per the Rahul Formula. The duo contended that a number of sitting MlAs have strong possibilities of winning the Assembly polls this time again.
Meanwhile, despite reservations of CGPCC chief Mahant, in the second list views of Ajit Jogi have been given due preference specially in constituencies of Bilaspur and Janjgir districts Jogi followers have been accommodated. Notably, in the first list of 17 candidates announced few days back, Jogi supporters were sidelined.
According to sources, in the meeting the screening committee chairman adopted very tough stand on allowing any leader to change constituency.
According to party sources, leaders of CGPCC will leave for Delhi on October 20 again for attending the final meeting of the screening committee scheduled on Monday even when a number of contenders for the party ticket are camping in Delhi for last some days.