The Congress screening committee is set to convene in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, marking the commencement of the candidate selection process for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May 2024. Chaired by senior Congress leader Rajni Patil, the committee will review reports from coordinators appointed by the party across the 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.
- Committee Formation: The screening committee, led by Rajni Patil, will convene to review reports and recommendations submitted by coordinators appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for each of the 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.
- Coordination and Recommendations: A month ago, the AICC had appointed coordinators for each constituency, instructing them to tour the corresponding Assembly constituencies, engage with local Congress leaders and workers, and compile lists of prospective candidates.
- Scrutiny and Finalization: The screening committee will scrutinize the lists prepared by coordinators for each parliamentary seat and finalize the selection of candidates based on the recommendations received.
- Timely Announcement: The party leadership aims to announce candidates for all 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh during the current month, providing sufficient time for candidates to engage in campaign activities leading up to the elections.
- Strategic Pressure: With an eye on countering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress is reportedly urging senior leaders in the state to actively participate in the upcoming LS polls. The BJP secured 28 out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
- Congress Presence: In the last LS elections, Congress leader Nakul Nath, son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, emerged victorious in Chhindwara constituency.
The screening committee’s meeting signals the initiation of a crucial phase in the election preparations for Congress in Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on strategic candidate selection and effective campaigning