Cong releases list of candidates for MCD polls, focus on youth

New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) The Congress today released its list of candidates for the April 5 MCD polls, keeping the focus on youth.

Youth comprise a major chunk of the list of 269 names announced by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Rambabu Sharma here this morning.

Many sitting Councillors have been dropped from the list, notable among them being Leader of the House in the current MCD Jitender Kochar.

Congress sources said Mr Kochar's name was dropped as his ward has been reserved for women under the new delimitation.

At the same time, however, sitting Councillors like Standing Committee Chairman Jai Kishen Sharma, Brij Bhushan Sharma and Satbir Sharma have been included in the list, announced after a marathon meeting of the Congress selection committee comprising Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and other senior party leaders.

Mr Sharma said effort has been made to ensure that persons with criminal background were not given the ticket.

Today is the last date for filing of nominations for the MCD polls.

UNI