First list of Congress candidates may have names from Gujarat

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is expected to release its first list of candidates on Friday in which some names of candidates from Gujarat is likely to be announced, party leaders said here today.
During his interaction with the media here today, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Arjun Modhwadia hoped to see some names from Gujarat.
"The first list is expected to be declared on Friday evening by the party high command in Delhi. Since it is a nationwide list, it may have some names from Gujarat. However, nothing specific can be predicted at this stage," Modhwadia said.

He also claimed that the GPCC had no role in the final list of Congress candidates for Gujarat.
"We were supposed to give our report for all the seats and we have given that. The final decision on the panels of names sent by us will be taken by our leaders," he said.
Recently, senior Congress leader and sitting MP from Kheda, Dinsha Patel expressed his desire not to contest elections.

Modhwadia explained the logic behind Patel's semi-retirement plan, saying that Patel wants to promote new blood and vacate his seat for such candidates.
"Patel told us that the party has given him tickets nine times. Now, he wants to promote new blood," Modhwadia said.

However, Patel hasn't closed all doors for his own candidature. "Patel also added that he is ready to contest if the party high command asks him to do so," he said.
Candidates for Bhavnagar and Vadodara will be decided by primaries, he said.
Party sources said that in the first list, names of sitting Congress MPs could figure.