Dissent in Uttarakhand Congress over nomination of candidates for upcoming polls

Dehradun, Jan 2 (ANI): Supporters of local leaders of the Congress Party staged a protest here on Monday against the nomination of candidates for the ensuing elections to the state assembly.

They contended that tickets have been given to those, who had opposed the party all these years.

"We have been informed through newspapers and electronic media that many people are coming to Uttarakhand, who had contested elections against Congress in 2002, 2007 and they have always remained against the party and have never supported the ideology of Congress. This will hurt the sentiments of the dedicated members of Congress," said Congress leader R P Ratudi.

"And we are protesting against this as we will not tolerate that such people who do not belong to Congress are given tickets to contest elections under the party banner," he added.

The protestors reiterated that the seasoned members within the party, who have remained loyal throughout should contest the election.

"Our demand is that the senior leader of Congress who have always supported the party, never cheated the members and who have never back-stabbed the party should be given the ticket to contest the elections and those who are corrupt and worked against the party should not considered at all," added Ratudi.

The demonstrating party supporters raised slogans against the leadership and even threatened to support the dissent candidates.

"We only want that Hira Bisht who has been in the party since 1975 should be given the ticket and we support him. If he would not contest elections from this place then we would resign from our membership of the party and also support him if he contests the election as an independent candidate," said Usha Devi, a protesting Congress Party worker.

The Election Commission has announced a seven-phased poll in Uttar Pradesh between February 4 and 28, while assembly elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa will be held in a single-phase. unjab and Uttarakhand will go to polls on January 30, while it will be held on January 28 in Manipur and on March 3 in Goa. The filing of nominations will begin on January 4 in Manipurhe counting of votes in all the five states will be held together on March 4. (ANI)