30 Congress nominees get symbols
The Congress on Sunday distributed the official symbol (authorization letters) to its nominees on 30 assembly constituencies to contest elections in the Garhwal region.
The Congress on Sunday distributed the official symbol (authorization letters) to its nominees on 30 assembly constituencies to contest elections in the Garhwal region.
Filing of nominations by the party candidates will begin from Monday.
Receipt of symbols by the candidates has put a stop to speculation that the party leadership was planning to change some nominees. As many as 30 candidates or their representatives received symbols from Pradesh Congress Committee president Yashpal Arya on Sunday following which they sought Arya's blessings for victory.
Although it was a Sunday the party's headquarters was bustling with activity as supporters of various candidates packed its premises. Prominent candidates who received symbols were Congress Legislature Party (CLP) president Harak Singh Rawat (for Rudraprayag assembly seat), Chakrata MLA Pritam Singh, Raipur assembly constituency nominee Umesh Sharma, sitting MLA from Mussoorie Jot Singh Gunsola, Devprayag nominee Surbir Sajwan, sitting MLA and Dharampur nominee (earlier known as Lakshman Chowk assembly segment) Dinesh Aggarwal.
Confident of victory, Rawat said he would file his nomination on Tuesday while Sajwan and Gunsola will submit their nominations on Monday.
Symbols could not be distributed in four constituencies surrounding the state capital, as the Congress is yet to announce its candidates from three constituencies, Sahaspur, Garhi Cant and Doiwala in Dehradun district. The fourth symbol on SC reserve assembly segment Rajpur was withheld following the controversy that cropped up as to its nominee's caste certificate. Congress nominee Rajkumar has been asked to get his documents verified before coming to take authorization letter. "Party leadership is aware of the controversy. It will take suitable action if needed. But for now there is no need to worry," said Yashpal Arya.
Candidates or their representatives from Purola and Tehri assembly constituencies failed to turn up to collect symbols till late evening. AICC secretary and Uttarakhand co-incharge Anees Ahmed has expressed confidence that Congress would be back in power with a minimum of 33-35 seats.
"This is minimum and most conservative tally that we hope after the elections. We are confident that Congress will form the government as the BJP is on a weak wicket due to poor governance over five years," said Ahmed.
Ahmed said BJP brought back at the helm the same BC Khanduri who was responsible for not allowing entry to Nano car manufacturing unit in the state despite Tata's willingness to come to Uttarakhand. He said "Besides this big business loss to the state, there were a series of scams and ill-governance by the BJP regime."
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