Date:20/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/20/stories/2007032015990400.htm

New Delhi

Congress bid to assuage hurt feelings of party workers

Staff Reporter

Ram Babu in touch with Councillors who did not get tickets Sparks at the meeting of Delhi Congress leaders with the party candidates

NEW DELHI: The Congress general secretary in charge of Delhi affairs, Ashok Gehlot, on Monday said efforts were being made to assuage the hurt feelings of party workers who could not be given tickets for the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections.

Speaking at a get-together of all the 272 party candidates for the MCD polls at the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, Mr. Gehlot said he was confident that all the party workers would see reason and work for ensuring victory of the party in the elections.

DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma said while he was in touch with all the Councillors who had been denied tickets this time, he had come to know that two Congress workers had gone and filed their nominations on being denied tickets.

"I have spoken to them also and since Monday is the last date for scrutiny of nominations, we are hopeful that they would withdraw their candidature in favour of the party candidates before the last date for withdrawal of nominations,'' he added.

Sparks

Earlier, sparks flew at the meeting of Delhi Congress leaders with the party candidates when one member accused Mr. Sharma of making money in the selection of candidates.

As Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was also present at the meeting, there was an immediate retort from Mr. Sharma's camp with some of those present choosing to target her son Sandeep Dikshit, the Member of Parliament from East Delhi, on similar lines.

Realising that the situation could turn ugly, the senior leaders immediately broke up for lunch diverting the attention from the issue.