Published Aug 19, 2023 | 6:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2023 | 6:00 AM
TPCC president Revanth Reddy releasing the application form for ticket aspirants in Hyderabad.
The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Friday, 18 August, officially began the process of issuing application forms to aspirants interested in party tickets to contest in the state Assembly elections slated for November-December this year.
TPCC president Revanth Reddy set the ball rolling for the process of picking candidates by issuing the application forms at Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters in Hyderabad.
Addressing the media, Revanth Reddy said that filling the application forms was mandatory for those who wished to contest the elections on a Congress ticket. He maintained that the selection of the candidate will be solely based on the winnability quotient.
Flanked by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Bhatti Vikramarka and Campaign Committee Chairman Madhu Yashki, Reddy urged the aspirants not to believe reports in a section of the media that the names of the candidates have already been finalised — and that the whole application exercise was just for show.
He said surveys will be conducted by the party on each applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. A report will be submitted to the Screening Committee after vetting the social equations and strengths of the candidates.
He said that, finally, it would be the Central Election Committee which will finalise the candidates.
He said that the application fee has been fixed at ₹25,000 for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, and at ₹50,000 for general candidates. The application fee, which is non-refundable, will be utilised for party activities.
The application forms will be accepted till 25 August.
Revanth Reddy stated that if anyone joins the party and asks for a ticket after 25 August, the matter will be discussed in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and a decision would be taken about accommodating them.
Interestingly, the declarations that aspirants have to make while applying for party tickets make shock many of them — and amuse most observers.
Take a look at them:
- *I will encourage amity and brotherhood among people, leaving no scope for violence. Also strive to protect the dignity of women.
- Strive to end gender discrimination and an end to the practices that lower the dignity of women. Will also join the effort to help women rise and freedom to choose. Will encourage equal participation of women in political, societal, economic, and cultural activities. Will also fight on their behalf for equal opportunities to them in education, health, and employment.
- Submit details of my property within three months of the election date and every year will notify the party of any changes in my assets.
- Conduct and participate in programmes that concern education, health, employment, and the environment with an intention to help the BCs and other sections of society.
- Be in the forefront to help in the event of any earth quake, or riots or cyclones or famines, and the spread of communicable diseases. Will put in efforts in the restoration of normalcy.
- Not have any personal interest while discharging duties as a Congress worker. Will have only the interests of the nation in my mind.
- Not have anything to do with the criminal elements.
- To pay taxes promptly to the government and clear arrears to the party.
- Give priority to finding solutions to the grievances of the people. Will focus my attention on weaker sections and work towards solving their problems.
- Take part in all festivals that promote national interaction and communal harmony.
- Not make a show of wealth. Will keep out all ostentation while performing weddings in the family and other events.
- Not give dowry or take it.
- Follow all guidelines issued by the party president and will not take any independent decision to mobilise money. The money that I collect officially for the party would be duly accounted for.
- Intimate PCC President and DCC president whenever visiting towns, mandals or other states.
- Not willfully do anything that would lower the prestige of the party. Will not criticise the party policies and programmes.
- Will have nothing to do with caste and religious organisations. Will not encourage caste or religious feelings and will not attend any such meetings.
- Not file rebel nomination papers in case the party does not field me as the official candidate.
