If you want to contest the Lok Sabha polls under the banner of the Congress party and choose a constituency as well — approach the party headquarters in West Bengal with your application or send an email to them.
The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee is seeking applications from all and sundry for nominations for the upcoming general elections.
The Congress leadership has argued that the drive will make the process of choosing the right candidate more democratic. Sources, however, said that the party is facing a tough time in the state and is in urgent need of good candidates.
"This is a good endeavor. Anyone who believes in the ideals of Congress can apply in the given format and they will be considered while giving out nominations," said Pradip Bhattacharya, president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.
"Usually names are proposed from blocks, districts and constituencies. But we want to choose from a wide cross section of people. We want to give a chance to our supporters," added Bhattacharya.
Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi had, in the recently concluded All India Congress Committee meet, said that there is a need to open the doors of Congress party and bring in young and honest people.
{{/usCountry}}Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi had, in the recently concluded All India Congress Committee meet, said that there is a need to open the doors of Congress party and bring in young and honest people.
{{/usCountry}}The party will hold a meeting where all applications and proposed names will be considered and then they will be sent to party high command in Delhi for a final nod.
Congress, which has six Lok Sabha seats in the state, is fighting alone unlike in the last Lok Sabha polls when it allied with Trinamool Congress.
The party is in dire straits as its MLAs, leaders and workers have quit the party and joined rival Trinamool Congress en masse in the recent months. The only silver lining in all of this is that rebel Trinamool Congress MP Somen Mitra chose to join the Congress back.
Political opponents like the Trinamool Congress, however, dubbed the initiative as an effort of a frustrated party.
"They cannot find candidates for all seats. Therefore they are forced to take such measures. It only shows their hapless condition in Bengal," said a Trinamool Congress leader.