Congress changes poll rules after 5 MPs' letter, contenders to check delegates' list from Sept 20
As many as five party MPs, including Pradyut Bordoloi, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Karti Chidambaram, and Abdul had expressed their concerns about transparency and fairness in the Congress President's election that is all set to be held on October 17. The nominations for the poll can be filed from September 24 to 30.
FollowThe Indian National Congress (INC) tweaked the poll rules hours after five MPs wrote to Congress Election Authority chief Madhusudan Mistry over transparency in the party's internal polls. In a reply to the MPs, Mistry said those seeking to file a nomination for the post of Congress president will be able to see the list of the over 9,000 delegates at the AICC's central election authority office from September 20.
"If anyone desires to get nominations from ten supporters from different states, the list of all 9000+ delegates will be available in my office at AICC, Delhi from 20th September (11 AM to 6 PM), before they file their nomination on 24th September," he said.
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As many as five party MPs, including Pradyut Bordoloi, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Karti Chidambaram, and Abdul had expressed their concerns about transparency and fairness in the Congress President's election that is all set to be held on October 17. The nominations for the poll can be filed from September 24 to 30.
In his joint letter to the MPs, he said, "I note your concern and appreciate your intention of strengthening the party and therefore to have a free and fair and transparent election of the congress president."
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"The first avenue open for any delegate to file a nomination for the congress president election is they can look for the names of the 10 supporters delegates at this date at the Pradesh Congress committee office the name and serial numbers are available in the list the nomination signed by 10 supporters will be sufficient for validity of the nomination,” he said.
Once the nomination is signed and handed over to the Chief Returning Officer, they will get the entire list of the delegates, he said in a letter to the MPs.
"This should resolve the anxiety of anybody about the process of filing their nominations without knowing the names of the delegates. Once the nomination is signed and handed over to the Chief Returning Officer, they will get the entire list of the delegates.
In his letter, Mistry said, "I hope this satisfies the needs of you and other colleagues who have signed the letter. I express my gratitude to Shashi ji for calling and having a conversation with me on the same today."
Expressing contentment, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter and said, "I am pleased that this clarification has come in the form of his constructive reply to our letter (attached). In view of these assurances, I am satisfied. Many will be glad to move on with an election process that in my view will only strengthen the party."
