Congress Ticket Policy: Scissors Hover Over Sitting MLAs, New Faces Gain Traction

Congress is preparing for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections. The process of ticket distribution within the party is ongoing, and a political storm is brewing amid ticket allocation. After the first survey in Congress resulted in negative reports for MLAs, discussions were held between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa regarding tickets for more than 80 MLAs this time. Several MLAs have managed to secure their positions in their constituencies and now, discussions are emerging that in many seats in Rajasthan, the current MLAs may face tough competition.
The Congress party has initiated the candidate selection process at the grassroots level. Applications were collected from aspirants through the Block Congress Committees which were then sent to the District Congress Committees. These Committees sent three to five names to the Pradesh Election Committee as panels. The Pradesh Election Committee will provide these names to the Screening Committee, then the meetings will be conducted in different districts to deliberate on panels consisting of 3 to 5 names. This is all part of the party’s selection process.
However, it is coming to light that Congress might issue tickets to around two dozen MLAs and ministers while engaging in “sitting-getting,” meaning challenging some incumbent MLAs with stronger contenders. This means that the party could potentially give tickets to other sitting MLAs. There are around 50 leaders for whom there are currently no strong contenders and the party can issue tickets to anyone.
Often, the Congress is accused of nepotism, however, the reality within the Congress party is that many Congress leaders are trying to secure tickets for their sons and daughters in the upcoming Assembly elections. However, it is not clear whether their sons and daughters will receive tickets.
Umar Daraz, have expressed opposition to Rafiq Khan while talking to the media, saying that if Rafiq Khan gets the ticket, he will contest as an independent candidate.