Cong to pick up candidates proposed by block committees in Raj

With Rahul Gandhi laying the broad parameters for selection of candidates for upcoming assembly poll, block Congress committees will play a crucial role in selection of party candidates in poll-bound Rajasthan.
Gandhi held a meeting with Rajasthan leaders including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC chief Chandrabhan, AICC general secretary for the state Gurudas Kamat and senior leaders from the party to discuss the poll strategy yesterday.
Sources said the exercise to get the names of candidates for the assembly seats from the blocks has already begun.
Block committees of the party have been asked to send the names to District Congress Committees in a week, which will send it to PCC after its consideration and changes if required and finally the state unit is expected to send its choices to the AICC by August 25.

In a meeting with Screening Committee Chairmen and members of all five states of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram on July 26, Gandhi had directed them to keep candidates with criminal background out and ensure that blocks have a say in their selection.
There is a view in the party that things have improved for Congress in last six months in Rajasthan.

There is also a view in the party that Bahujan Samaj Party, which had made a dent in its vote bank during previous elections, is now a subdued force in Rajasthan after Mayawati's loss in Uttar Pradesh and as such Congress is in a stronger position than before there notwithstanding the anti-incumbency factor faced by Gehlot government.

Congress believes though the poll battle in the state will be a keenly contested one, the party can retain the state if it could put up a united fight shunning groupism.
Meanwhile, sources in AICC said that Gandhi will hold a review meeting of party's preparedness in Karnataka and Assam tomorrow.