Congress Emphasizes “Winnability” as Key Criterion for Ticket Distribution in Rajasthan
07-06-2023 : The Congress party’s state in-charge for Rajasthan, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, announced on Wednesday that the party will prioritize giving tickets to candidates who are considered “winnable,” without imposing an age bar or relying on a “recommendation system.” Randhawa responded to queries from reporters, highlighting that just as we do not cast aside elderly members of our own families, age should not be a barrier in politics.
Randhawa also expressed the party’s lack of fear regarding actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had recently conducted searches in Rajasthan as part of a money laundering probe related to a paper leak case. Randhawa emphasized that the party will face any investigation by the ED, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or Income Tax (IT) department without fear, referring to the example of Karnataka where despite the arrest of their deputy chief minister, the BJP suffered a defeat in the elections.
As part of his interactions, Randhawa met with various state ministers and MLAs to gather feedback on government-related issues and the party’s organization. These meetings come at a time when the central leadership of the party is making efforts to reconcile the differences between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and dissident leader Sachin Pilot before the upcoming assembly polls scheduled for later this year.
Regarding the criteria for ticket distribution, Randhawa stated that the party will not follow the “recommendation system” that has proved ineffective in states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. He emphasized that there should be no age cut-off in politics and that the party values the involvement of youth and encourages their participation.
In response to Congress MLA Bharat Singh’s statement advocating for the promotion of youth, Randhawa suggested that older politicians should make sacrifices themselves and set an example. He emphasized that the party is in election mode and he is actively seeking feedback from leaders regarding their respective departments, constituencies, and issues.
Randhawa met with several ministers, including Mamta Bhupesh, Saleh Mohammad, Govind Meghwal, and Murari Lal Meena, as well as MLA Krishna Poonia and former MLAs. His visit to Rajasthan coincides with speculation about Sachin Pilot’s next move, following a meeting between Pilot, Gehlot, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, which reportedly did not resolve all the core issues between the two leaders.
Randhawa dismissed the possibility of Pilot forming a new party and reiterated that responsibilities within the party will be assigned based on the stature of Rajasthan leaders. He emphasized that both Gehlot and Pilot had agreed to work together during their meeting with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, indicating that most of the issues had been resolved and the remaining concerns were not significant.
The power struggle between Gehlot and Pilot has been ongoing since the formation of the Congress government in Rajasthan in 2018. There are expectations that Pilot may provide clarity on his future course of action on June 11, which marks his father’s death anniversary in Dausa.
