Bhopal: The opposition Congress has begun to gird up its loins to enter the civic poll fray in Madhya Pradesh. This election is going to be the semi-final before the assembly poll next year. The smoke of internal squabbling that led to the ouster of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in 2020 in Madhya Pradesh has begun to belch out before the distribution of tickets for the civic polls.
The elections to 347 municipalities in the state will be held in two phases. On July 6, 133 local bodies will go to polls. The elections to 214 local bodies will be held on July 13, an election official said. Unlike the panchayat elections, these polls will be held on the party basis, he said. The counting for the first-phase polls will be held on July 17, while for the second-phase it will be held on July 18, the official said. The notification for the nomination process will be issued on June 11, last date for filing papers is June 18, the scrutiny will be done on June 20 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is June 22, the official added.
State Congress president Nath said on Thursday that the party would finalise its candidates for the upcoming polls in a couple of days. There are a large number of ticket seekers who trigger trouble for the party before any election. Nath, however, said that those who worked for strengthening the organisation would be given tickets. About infighting in the party over distribution of tickets, Nath told reporters that each Congress man was doing a wonderful job, but there is one ticket for one seat.
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He said, “Such a situation, sometimes, results in tension, but the party will select those who have strengthened the organisation.” Nath said that he would hold a meeting with all in-charges on the issue and finalise the candidates in a day or two. As June 9 (Thursday) was the death anniversary of tribal revolutionary Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Nath remembered his sacrifices and the rebellion he led against the British government. He fought against all injustices in society, so his sacrifice is an inspiration to the young generation, Nath said.
