Keeping AAP in crosshairs, Congress steps up bid to pick LS faces for all Punjab seats

Following the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s announcement to go solo in Punjab in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the state Congress has recommended multiple names for each of the state’s 13 Lok Sabha seats to the AICC-constituted screening committee led by Bhakta Charan Das.

In addition to the recommended names, the party may also invite applications from workers who wish to contest the seats. The issue was discussed in the meeting of the screening committee, which has been tasked with shortlisting of the Lok Sabha candidates, at the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh on Monday. The panel, which met for the second time, includes AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab Devender Yadav, state party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa.

Congress insiders said six sitting MPs are among the candidates recommended to the screening committee.

“A decision on inviting more applications will be taken in a day or two and if approved, additional names will be sent to the screening committee. The exercise is being conducted in a professional manner,” Warring told The Indian Express. Once all the applications are received, the Congress will assess the candidates on the basis of “winnability” through an internal survey before taking a final decision.

A senior Congress leader said the party will give due representation to leaders across communities. “Discussions are also being held to Hindu candidates in constituencies where urban voters are in the majority,” he said, adding that the selection of Dalit candidates for the SC-reserved seats will largely be based on the quantum of sub-caste votes.

On February 1, the 27-member Punjab Congress’s election committee, comprising Warring,