Paratroopers will not be accomodated: Rahul

"Though the work of people in the government are clearly defined, a need is being felt to define the duties within the party, especially at the level of the senior leadership, who can give their significant contribution for the betterment of the party," Gandhi said in Kullu beginning his two day tour of poll-bound Himachal Pradesh.

Gandhi said there is need to give more importance and representation to workers who should be able to frankly air their views.

Eyeing the upcoming assembly poll in the state, he asked state party leaders and workers to close ranks and put up a united show at the hustings.

The Congress had lost the last assembly election in Himachal due to infighting and this should not be repeated this time, he said during closed-door meetings of the party functionaries in Kullu town.

Party sources said the Congress general secretary told workers and leaders that recommendations of block, district and state Congress committees would be given weightage while allocating tickets.

"Paratroopers will not be accommodated," Rahul asserted, implying that partymen will have to work their way up from the grassroot level.

He hinted the tickets would be allocated in advance to enable candidates to have adequate time for campaigning, the sources said.

"We need to create such a set up in which the party decides the tickets after completing all formalities six months before the election," he said.