Congress plays it safe

The Congress played it safe by repeating over 50 per cent of its sitting MLAs from Gujarat in the first list of 52 candidates announced by the party high command in New Delhi on Wednesday late covering both the phases of assembly election in the state.

Out of the 52 candidates announced, 27 are sitting MLAs, eight are ex-MLAs and one is a sitting MP. In the second list two more sitting MPs a are likely to be included, party sources said.

Congress has 55 MLA in against BJP's 121 in the state assembly with total strength of 182.

The first list by the main opposition party in the state, includes names of 22 candidates for first phase of election on December 13 and 30 candidates for the second phase of poll scheduled for December 17.

"The decision for candidates was taken after due process by the party leaders. The names have been evaluated based on responses from the village, taluka and district level workers," GPCC spokesperson Manish Doshi said.