The IT Cell of Madhya Pradesh Congress is unaware of the party candidates who have been fielded in the upcoming local bodies’ elections.
The decision of State Congress leadership that is facing discontent over ticket distribution for civic elections has been exposed by the correspondence of its IT cell that has sought details of party’s authorised candidates or those party candidates who have been declared independent due to some reasons from district presidents (city and rural).
A letter has been dispatched in this regard by the State general secretary of the IT and Social Media Cell Narendra Singh Tomar to all the district presidents (city and rural), block Congress committee presidents, women cell district presidents, Youth Congress district presidents and the candidates of the Chambal division to furnish details of all candidates.
The IT cell letter to the DCCs and BCCs says, “We do not have the detailed information of official party candidates and those party candidates who have been declared independent due to some reasons. Due to lack of information we are getting difficulties in carrying out campaign on social media. Hence, it is requested to furnish all the details of the candidates to the IT media cell or to the office bearers of MPCC residing nearest to you. The information could also be sent by e-mail to the IT cell.”
Chief spokesman of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) KK Mishra talking to The Pioneer over the issue said, “It is our internal matter and we are collecting the data of party candidates for consolidating the database of our IT and social media cell.”
When asked whether this letter indicates that tickets have been distributed without collecting complete details of the candidates, Mishra said, “We do have all the requisite details of the candidates; without that how they could have been fielded. The said letter is simply regarding IT and Social media cell carrying out a process for a graphic that we are making for our internal use besides the data is required to strengthen the database of the IT cell for future.”
However, MPCC - minorities department chairman Mohammed Saleem does not agree with Mishra’s views over the issue and said, “What is the fun of collecting candidates data after giving them tickets, it only reflects leadership’s immaturity and strengthens the allegations that tickets were sold on large scale across the state.”
Saleem who was also the member of the State selection committee for finalising candidates for civic elections resigned from it alleging negligence of minorities in ticket distribution.