Cong candidates list for assembly polls by Jan 15: Punjab CM

Patiala, Jan 7 (UNI) The All India Congress Committee (AICC) would release the list of candidates for the February 13 Punjab assembly elections by January 14 or 15.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh here today while interacting with the mediapersons after addressing an employees rally.

He said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has been preparing panels of aspiring candidates and would send it to AICC in a day or two.

He said a three-member scrutiny committee comprising of Mohsina Kidwai, Bagrodia and Sushil Kumar Shinde would scrutinize the list. The final list of 117 assembly segments would be released by January 14-15, he added.

When asked about the possibility of an alliance with any like-minded parties, the CM said, ''There is no proposal for the alliance yet with us. But if AICC forms an alliance with any political party, then we have to accept the decision.'' About the joining of few leaders from one party to another, Capt Singh said he was not bothered about all this and rather pointed out that some stalwarts from BJP-Akali Dal combine would soon join the Congress fold.

Referring to the release of Party's election manifesto, he said working document of the manifesto had already been finalised under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Surinder Singla and it would be soon referred to AICC for final approval.

UNI