15 Congress MLAs in Haryana may not get tickets for assembly polls

NEW DELHI: Around fifteen Congress MLAs of Haryana may not get tickets for the upcoming assembly elections next month. The AICC screening committee has decided to recommend to the party’s central election committee (CEC) to drop these MLAs as a part of the move to shun some deadwoods and prop up new faces to limit the anti-incumbency mood against the 10-year Congress rule. The AICC panel has also decided to leave it to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a final decision on Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s wish to fight from two seats. “The screening committee thinks around 15 MLAs need not be re-nominated this time.

This includes some who are facing criminal charges and some others facing severe anti-incumbency mood in their constituencies. Winnability is the top criteria,” a source told ET. The committee is likely to have another meeting before submitting its list by the week-end.

The Congress is expecting a tough elections against the BJP and INLD. The Congress has 40 MLAs and five other supporting MLAs who had defected from Kuldeep Bishnoi’s party. Interestingly, Chief Minister Hooda is trying to ensure some tactical understanding between the Congress and Bishnoi’s party in some areas.

The PC Chacko-led AICC screening committee is yet to decide on Hooda’s wish to fight from two seats. AICC is likely to announce the list soon.