Congress hopes to woo corporates and professionals by fielding Nandan Nilekani

NEW DELHI: Congress believes pitching IT whiz Nandan Nilekani in parliamentary elections will beam the right message to corporates and professionals, brightening the prospects of the technocrat helming the UID project to get a nomination to the 2014 election.

Nilekani is a strong aspirant for Bangalore south seat. Congress is inclined to field him from this urban pocket though the discussion about his candidature is likely to carefully weigh his winnability.

Fielding the Infosys co-founder is also expected to be well received by business and industry that has grown skeptical about a scam-hit government's policies and capacities to deliver a pro-growth environment.

Congress would, however, like to be sure about whether he would stand a good chance to win. "He can win but we will have to be sure that he wins," a senior leader said while underlining that Nilekani "should not lose".

The UIDAI chairman's candidature is likely to be discussed by Congress general secretary Madhusudan Mistry with the Karnataka state unit at a meeting tentatively scheduled for January 18.

There are indications that Congress would want Nilekani to contest the LS election as part of its policy to infuse talent in the party. His strong points being a clean image as a corporate leader, as a founding member of the IT success Infosys.

With his goodwill among corporates and professionals, sources said Nilekani's presence can be a positive message to young voters. It could even influence the voting in other three Bangalore seats, said a senior leader associated with Congress's selection of candidates in Karnataka.

Additionally, it is believed Nilekani's candidature would also help dent the anger against Congress among young professionals and corporates that seems to be a feature across the country. Given the positives in Nilekani's profile, Congress is not averse to pitchforking him in the parliamentary battle.

When contacted, Karnataka Congress chief G Parameshwara said, "It is for the high command to decide. We would want Nilekani to contest this election."

There is a realization that it would not be an easy battle against the BJP veteran Ananth Kumar. The 5-term MP is a strong Brahmin leader with significant political muscle.