Congress likely to go solo in 2017 UP polls

The Congress seems to be staking everything it has in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, due in 2017. One year ahead of schedule, the party has already set a timetable for itself and the process of selecting candidates has already started. An unnamed 'private agency' has completed an independent survey of probable candidates. District leaders have been engaged in making a list of candidates of their choice, which will then be cross-referenced with a list by AICC-appointed observers.

February 1 will see the beginning of an intensive consultation between AICC general secretaries in-charge of the state and the region, as well as state president Nirmal Khatri, who will hold one-on-one meetings with district and block presidents in each of the 403 constituencies. Candidates from other parties are also being assessed. This might mean, the Congress is not going to contest in an alliance with anyone.