NEW DELHI: In a significant decision aimed at providing a broader representation to grassroots in Delhi Congress and give fresh blood a new opportunity, the party high command is understood to have decided to bar all sitting Members of Parliament, chairmen of various boards and corporations and occupants of other such important posts from holding any position in the new team of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee.

The party leadership is of the view that it is time to bring about a change in the representation in the local unit and for this reason some of the "dead wood" or the old lot needs to be replaced by new faces. Under the new formula, all sitting Members of Parliament will not be allowed to hold any office and instead would be given representation in the executive committee of the party. All those presently holding any post or office in the Government or the party would also stand debarred from being made office-bearers lest they decide to give up their present position. "A suggestion has also come from senior AICC leaders that the MLAs and Councillors also be debarred from holding any position in the party. This would give the other party leaders a chance to be part of the organisation and ensure wider representation,'' a senior party leader remarked.

The Congress high command has made it very clear that it would not allow constitution of a jumbo-sized DPCC team and therefore the new set-up is likely to be compact providing representation to all. DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma had submitted a huge list in order to placate all sections. However, the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi, Ashok Gehlot, along with Pradesh Returning Officer Mahesh Joshi is understood to have conveyed to Mr. Sharma that it would not be possible to have such a large team in view of the directions of party president Sonia Gandhi.

According to sources in the party, the new team could comprise eight to ten vice-presidents and a similar number of general secretaries. The party leadership has, however, allowed the luxury of appointing around two-dozen secretaries. The list of office-bearers has been drawn up from the list of PCC delegates and no alternation would be allowed.

Interestingly, it is learnt that after the drubbing in the constitution of blocks and districts, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's camp is likely to face the same fate in the new team. "We had approached the Chief Minister seeking her views on the blocks, districts and the new team. She said she had hardly anything to do with what happens in the organisation. She even refused to suggest names for blocks or districts other than hers which is very unfortunate. She has herself to blame if her supporters do not find representation in the new team,'' said one of the senior leaders associated with the exercise.

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