Guj: After rebellions, Cong now giving tickets discreetly

Following outbreak of rebellions after the announcement of party candidates for phase I of Gujarat elections, Congress today chose not to make further announcements for remaining seats.

Instead, the party is now calling the individual candidates discreetly, and giving them `mandate' to file nomination papers, sources said.

Tomorrow is the last day for filing of nominations. "With this strategy, other aspirants would not come to know about denial of ticket until the last moment," sources said.

The mandate confirms that the person represents the party.

On Wednesday, Congress announced 52 names for both the phases of Assembly elections. Next day, it faced the wrath of disappointed ticket-seekers and their supporters.

Disgruntled leaders sent in resignations at various places, while a scuffle broke out at the party headquarters.

Local Dalit leaders and party office-bearers Jayanti Parmar and Girish Parmar, who quit the party posts yesterday, led a large group of supporters to the party office today. They protested the decision to give ticket to Shailesh Parmar from Danilimda in Ahmedabad District.

In Junagadh, 24 Congress councillors today resigned in support of Girish Kotecha, who has been denied a ticket.

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