Congress's first list for Mumbai civic polls likely on Sunday

The parliamentary board for finalising Congress candidates of 169 wards for Mumbai civic polls is meeting tomorrow to finalise its list of candidates.

The parliamentary board will be chaired by city unit party chief Kripashankar Singh and will comprise former presidents Murli Deora, Gurudas Kamat, senior leader and industries Minister Narayan Rane, ministers Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, Suresh Shetty, Varsha Gaikwad and leader of opposition in the civic body Rajhans Singh.

Chiefs of all city unit's frontal organisations have been called as special invitees.

Party MPs Priya Dutt, Sanjay Nirupam and Eknath Gaikwad will be called in for the meeting, when the list of candidates from their constituencies is taken up for discussions, he said.

Kripashankar Singh said the list of candidates is likely to be declared on Sunday, since the meeting of scrutinising the list of applicants and selection of candidates will be a day-long process.

Over 1,600 applications have been received for 169 wards, he said.

The last date of filing of nominations for the February 16 polls is January 31.

The party has been facing tough time due to pressure from party activists, who have accused the city unit leadership of favouring close aides, relatives of certain leaders over meritorious workers, while allotting tickets.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary board of Mumbai NCP will also meet tomorrow to finalise their list of candidates.

Party sources said, so far, finalising candidates for three to four wards is pending. NCP is contesting in 58 wards.