Cong candidates' selection for local bodies to be decentralised

Mumbai, Oct 17 (UNI) The Congress today said selection of candidates for the November 19 Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections will be decentralised.

The Congress has already declared it will go alone in the elections. However, it is yet to take a decision on the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation polls scheduled for February-March next year.

The state parliamentary committee met here yesterday to discuss and prepare the strategy for the upcoming polls. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, MPCC president Prabha Rau and other senior leaders.

Ms Rau today met district Congress Committee presidents where the municipal council elections will be held on November 19.

State unit spokesman Hussain Dalwai said the District Gaurdian Ministers, District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents and local leaders will participate in the candidate selection process.

''Disputes, if any, will be brought to the notice of State Congress president Prabha Rau, who will then intervene in the matter. Ms Rau has told the local leaders to ensure that good and effective candidates are chosen to represent the party in its symbol,'' he added.

UNI MR KU AK BD1755