Cong will retain power in Raj: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said Congress would retain power in Rajasthan on the basis of the work done by the UPA government at the Centre and Gehlot government in the state.

"Despite economic slowdown, developmental programmes continued in the country during the UPA rule. Health care and education programmes, power generation, infrastructure development and other activities were not impacted," Azad told reporters here.

"We will make a comeback on the basis of our works, policies and welfare programmes," he said.

The Minister said Congress is making efforts to reconcile with rebel candidates ahead of the forthcoming assembly elections.

"There is a small number of rebel candidates who have filed their nominations. We are making efforts and hopefully we will persuade them to withdraw by the last date of withdrawal of nominations," Azad said.

The minister and MP Gurudas Kamath were at the PCC to hold a meeting with the PCC president Dr Chandrabhan and other leaders to discuss the rebel factor and to negate its impact.

Several candidates of both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, who were denied tickets, have filed their nominations as independent or on Kirori Meena's National People's Party tickets.

Yesterday was the last date for filing nomination papers for the December 1 Assembly elections in Rajasthan and November 16 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.