The process for selecting Congress candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections has formally commenced, with a significant role being played by block-level committees and a central screening panel headed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The system is designed to incorporate grassroots worker opinions before finalizing ticket distribution.
Grassroots Input to Shape Candidate Selection
In a structured approach, block Congress committees across Assam are tasked with preparing a confidential final list of probable candidates for each constituency. These lists will be sent upward to the district Congress committees, which will subsequently forward them to the state election committee. This committee is chaired by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who serves as the chairperson of the screening committee for these elections.
"The opinions of the block committees will be crucial. But while finalising tickets, the survey reports of Congress will also be kept in mind," revealed a senior Congress leader. Given that each constituency comprises 2 to 4 blocks, this process aims to ensure local perspectives are heavily weighed.
Ticket Aspirants Begin Application Process
The first day of accepting applications from ticket seekers saw immediate activity. Five aspirants submitted their applications at the party's state headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan in Guwahati. Among them was Bipul Gogoi, the Assam PCC general secretary (administration) and a former close aide of ex-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. He has applied for the Tingkhong constituency.
Other notable applicants include Gunakanta Gogoi for Digboi, Ranjita Pegu for Jonai, Abu Taher Ali Bepari for Dhubri, and Amanul Islam for Goalpara East. The party has set January 20 as the final date for receiving applications. Interest appears high, with over 500 aspirants having already collected application forms via the official website, www.apcc.assam.org.
People-Centric Manifesto Campaign Gains Momentum
Parallel to the candidate selection process, the Congress party is intensifying efforts to draft a 'people-centric manifesto'. This initiative is being driven across the state under the campaign banner 'Raijor Padulit Raijor Congress' (People's Congress in People's Court).
As part of this outreach, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi recently met with representatives from various political parties and organizations in Charaideo district of Upper Assam. This move signals the party's attempt to engage with a broader spectrum of society and incorporate diverse viewpoints into its election platform.
The dual focus on a bottom-up candidate selection process and a consultative manifesto campaign underscores the Congress party's strategy to rebuild its connect with voters in Assam ahead of the crucial assembly polls.
