News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Election » Infighting plagues Delhi Congress

Infighting plagues Delhi Congress

By Ehtasham Khan in New Delhi
November 13, 2003 12:06 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Opinion polls may suggest a Congress victory in the December 1 election in Delhi, but the party is having a tough time in distributing tickets.

Three Delhi leaders -- Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Chaudhry Prem Singh and former minister Sajjan Kumar -- are fighting over who should get tickets.

The party was supposed to release its list of candidates on Tuesday. In the 75-member Delhi assembly, lieutenant governor nominates five members, and the rest are elected.

Tension was visible at the party headquarters at Akbar Road on Wednesday.

Men and women with Congress flags, banners and placards came in the morning and demonstrated throughout the day. They sang songs, clapped and cheered their respective leaders.

Police had to barricade the road and no traffic was allowed.

But everyone had only praise for party chief Sonia Gandhi, who will take final decision on the allotment of seats.

Congress sources said Dikshit and Singh met Gandhi on Wednesday and expressed their grievances regarding the allotment of seats.

Though in a good position, the CM is expected to contest from two seats to avoid any embarrassment, the sources added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has released the list of half of its contenders. It is waiting for the Congress list so that it can decide on the remaining candidates, said BJP Delhi president Madan Lal Khurana, who is also the party's chief ministerial candidate.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Ehtasham Khan in New Delhi