Madhya Pradesh: Rahul calls for shunning 'old system of distributing tickets'

New Delhi, Sep 17: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday called for shunning the "old system of distributing tickets", adding that grassroot level workers who do actual work would be preferred for tickets.

Rahul earlier today launched his party's campaign in the poll bound Madhya Pradesh, known to be a BJP bastion, from Bhopal. He started a roadshow, in an open bus, which covered a distance of around 18 kilometres.

At the end of the road show, Rahul addressed the party workers where he said the Congress is going to field a large number of women candidates in Madhya Pradesh.

"The old system of distributing tickets won't be followed this time around. Son of any person (Congress leader) won't be picked up as nominee," he said in response to a question asked by a party worker.

"Those who fight for the Congress and are grassroots workers will get the ticket. The winnable party workers and persons will get the ticket," he said amid cheers from party cadres present at the event.

He said those who join the Congress from other political parties won't get tickets.

"Those who parachute in our party can come in happily. But ticket won't drop like a parachute for them," he said. "First they have to fight for the party, thereafter their names would be considered," he said.

The roadshow commenced from Bhopal's Lalghati Chowk, near the airport and will pass through old city areas including Royal Market and Peer Gate, and will reach BHEL Dussehra Maidan

Congress President Rahul Gandhi holds 'Sankalp Yatra' in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/CBELLgnOpM

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2018

Rahul arrived at Bhopal airport by an aircraft at around noon on Monday. At 1 pm, he then began on a 15-kilometer-long roadshow from Lalghati Chowk, located close to the airport, after seeking the blessings of more than 11 Hindu priests, state party spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi told PTI on Sunday.

Besides, the Congress president will address a meeting of Congress workers, which will be open to public, before leaving in the evening.

Security has been tightened in the city in view of Gandhi's visit, Bhopal Inspector General (IG) of Police Jaideep Prasad said.