NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday announced that it would declare the party candidates for the Legislative Council polls by March 6 even as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and State Congress chief K. Kesava Rao held three rounds of meeting here.

Dr. Reddy, who arrived here on Friday night, remained closeted with AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh to finalise the 19 candidates who would be elected to the Council by the Assembly. March 7 is the last day for filing of the nominations for the polls to be held on March 17.

The entire team had a meeting with Congress president Sonia. Mr. Digvijay Singh told correspondents that the process was on and the list would be declared on Tuesday. He said the Congress had decided to leave two seats for the CPI and one seat to its ally, the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.

He said while deciding upon the party candidates, adequate representation to castes, region and contribution of the candidates to the party would be considered. The thrust of the exercise was to ensure that the best candidates were selected.

As for the demand from a section of State leaders that the Congress should not leave any seats for the CPI, Mr. Digvijay Singh said the latter had supported the Congress even during the local bodies elections.

Asked about reports of disagreement between the Central leadership and the State Congress chief over the choice of some candidates, Mr. Digvijay Singh insisted that there was complete unanimity in the party.

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