Not all sitting MLAs in Chhattisgarh to get ticket; winnability to be sole criteria: Congress

All sitting MLAs may not get tickets to contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh as the party will decide its candidates on the sole criteria of winnability, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo said.

He also echoed views of his bte noire and former Congress leader Ajit Jogi on the implementation of liquor ban in urban areas of the state in case his party comes to power.

Polls for 90 seats in Chhattisgarh Assembly are scheduled to be held later this year.

"The system this time, which should always be, would be the winnability of the candidate. It should be the sole criteria (for giving a ticket). Last time in Chhattisgarh, except one, all 38 sitting MLAs got the ticket," Singh Deo told PTI in an interview here.

He said this has already been conveyed to all members of the Legislative Assembly.

"I assured them (sitting MLAs) that all of your names will go to the panel (deciding on candidates). But whether a ticket will be given, it will solely depend on your work. So please buck up. Work in your area," said Singh Deo, who is also the leader of the opposition in Chhattisgarh.

The Congress lost to BJP in 2013 elections as it could secure only 39 seats out of 90. The ruling BJP got 49 seats and one each was won by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and by an independent candidate.

"As far as liquor is concerned, the Congress has announced that apart from the tribal areas, where Fifth Schedule will be in force (after winning the elections), and regarding liquor they are empowered to take that decision, there will be complete a ban in the sale of liquor in the urban areas. This we have already announced," he said.

The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution mentions a system of administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes by their representatives.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi had recently said he would ban liquor in the state but permit tribals to consume it as it was part of their culture, if his party forms government.

Singh Deo said Congress' poll preparation is good, effective and sufficient.

"We are gearing up the organisation and taking it to sub booth level, to every mohalla. This is first time the Congress has gone to that level. We are preparing a manifesto. This time we are going to people seeking suggestions for it. Farmers, youths and women will be at the core of our manifesto," he said.

Singh Deo said there was a rampant corruption in the state which was facing the issue of "adhikarikaran".

"The government servants are being used by the BJP government to control the entire system. We would check this 'adhikarikaran'. This will be decentralised where executives will have full independence to work in their areas of responsibilities.

"The public representatives will be empowered to take a decision on work needed to be done in an area. How it needs to be done, it is for the executives to decide. Public representatives are not supposed to become 'thekedar' and public servants are not supposed to take policy decisions," he said.

Singh Deo said there were no employment opportunities for the youths of the state.

"After 15 years, the government has prepared human resource to a level where they have to outsource the teaching jobs. We will ensure that locals get priority in government and private sector jobs in the state," he said.

Singh Deo said most of the locals get jobs as sweepers or gatekeepers.

"Target will certainly be of 100 per cent or maximum jobs for locals. Women and youths need to be empowered. Privatisation of healthcare will be checked," he said outlining some of the probable poll promises.