Congress done with list, but will declare names after Pitru Paksha

The Congress on Saturday cleared the list of its candidates for Maharashtra. But it has held back the announcement, saying the names will be made public on September 25.

The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) met in New Delhi for four hours, a day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi returned from the US. The meeting cleared its candidates for all 90 Haryana seats and finalised 62 more in Maharashtra to raise its tally of candidates to 142.

Congress sources said the party would contest about 30 seats less than the last time. It is seen as softening stand towards Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. According to a formula worked out, in seats, where Congress has lost twice or more, will be transferred to the NCP to try their luck.

There will be a rush for filing the nomination papers only on the last three days as few will venture out to throw their heads in the poll ring during the Pitru Paksha (Shraddha days) that ends only on Wednesday. A Congress leader indicated that their list would be out only after Pitra Paksha while serious moves were also on to firm up alliance with Pawar.

The Election Commission on Saturday also set the election process in motion in Maharashtra, inviting nominations up to the next Saturday, September 27.