The Hindu : New Delhi News : Assembly bypolls: Race for ticket hots up

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Assembly bypolls: Race for ticket hots up

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 13. Even as the Congress party gears up for the big battle in Maharashtra, by-elections to the two Delhi Assembly seats of Rajouri Garden and Baljit Nagar (SC) have generated considerable heat within the city unit of the Congress. More than a dozen contenders, including a relative of one of the Members of Parliament, have joined the race for the party ticket.

According to sources in the party, a decision on the two seats would be taken by the party high command this week. Hectic lobbying is on within the Delhi Congress for the party ticket as both seats are considered "safe'' for the Congress as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is in a shambles and completely divided.

It is learnt that the Karol Bagh (SC) Member of Parliament, Krishna Tirath, who had vacated the seat on her elevation to the Lok Sabha, is lobbying to get the party ticket for her husband from Baljit Nagar. However, this move has created resentment in the party as a number of local leaders are believed to be opposed to fielding the kith and kin of any leader. "This is totally against the thought and directive of the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, that party tickets should go to party workers and not relatives of senior leaders or those who vacate the seat,'' a senior party leader remarked.

Apart from Ms. Tirath seeking the ticket for her husband, the youth wing of the party has also staked its claim for the Baljit Nagar seat in view of the Congress president's commitment to promote the young leadership. A serious contender in this category is the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president, Rajesh Lilothia. Having been denied the nomination in the December 2003 Assembly elections, Mr. Lilothia, known for his organisational skills and his influence among the Dalit community, also has the backing of some senior AICC leaders. He could find favour with the party high command in the absence of any other strong contender from this community. A number of leaders from Delhi are also reported to be in favour of Mr. Lilothia's candidature and the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, could also go along with his name in view of the work done by him in his capacity as the Delhi Youth Congress chief.

On the other hand, a number of contenders have emerged for the Rajouri Garden ticket, a seat vacated by the New Delhi Member of Parliament, Ajay Maken. It is learnt that Mr. Maken has already conveyed to the high command as well as the Chief Minister that he was not interested in getting the party ticket for any of his relatives or friends. In fact, sources said Mr. Maken was in favour of the party nominating a worker rather than any outsider or para-trooper. On the other hand, the name of Avantika Maken, daughter of the slain Congress leader, Lalit Maken, is also doing the rounds in the party circles. It is understood that some senior leaders are pitching for Avantika in view of the positive image of her father. Her nomination could also generate sympathy for her and ensure a victory at the hustings. Mr. Maken, it is understood, has made it clear that irrespective of who gets the party ticket, he would work to ensure that the Congress nominee emerges victorious in the polls. Others in the race for this seat include, O.P. Wadhwa, who has lost two Assembly polls including the last one, and Chhatar Singh, who has contested once and lost.

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