Dissatisfaction over the candidature of independent MLA on party ticket, Congress workers protested in Mahwa
Mahwa (ANI): A group of Congress workers protested against the candidature of independent MLA Om Prakash Hoodla from the party’s Mahwa assembly constituency seat. Party workers on Monday burnt the effigy of Hudla and raised slogans against the leadership’s decision of not giving ticket to any Congress worker and giving ticket to the sitting MLA instead.
The protesters demand that the central leadership intervene in this matter, immediately cancel the ticket given to the independent MLA and consider the name of a Congress worker on this seat.
Apart from this, the protesters said that if the ticket of the independent MLA is not cancelled, then a meeting of all party ticket applicants will be held on October 26 and a strategy to work against him in the elections and future plans will be made.
Hoodla’s candidature was announced by Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at Priyanka Gandhi’s meeting held in Dausa on October 20. Soon after the meeting, some party workers expressed their dissatisfaction over Hoodla being made the party candidate.
Later, Congress announced its second list of candidates and Hoodla’s name was included as the Mahwa candidate.
On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Congress released its second list of 43 candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly elections, which includes the names of state ministers Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Govind Ram Meghwal.
The ruling party has fielded Govind Ram Meghwal from Khajuwala, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas from Civil Lines and Parsadi Lal Meena from Lolsot.
Also, Congress has fielded former Rajasthan Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya from Sojat seat. He is considered close to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member House. Ashok Gehlot came to power with the support of BSP MLAs and independent MLAs. Earlier on Saturday, October 21, 2023, the party released its first list of 33 candidates for the Rajasthan Assembly elections, which included the names of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, state party chief Govind Singh Dotasra and President CP Joshi.
The party opted to re-nominate sitting MLAs on 29 seats, while four others were chosen to contest from constituencies where the BJP has sitting MLAs. The Congress’ first list came soon after the BJP released its second list of 88 candidates, taking it to 124 out of the total 200 candidates.
The Congress Selection Committee for Rajasthan is likely to meet in Delhi on October 26 to discuss the names of the remaining candidates for the assembly elections. Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and CCP State President Govind Dotasara will attend the meeting.
Elections for the 200-member assembly will be held on November 25.
Counting of votes will take place on December 3. Out of the five states, voting will be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh.
