Congress close to finalising candidates for 100 Lok Sabha seats

The issue of tainted leaders is expected to figure in seats like Pune, currently being represented by Suresh Kalmadi, who is facing corruption charges in the organisation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Kalmadi, suspended from the party, is apparently trying hard to get a ticket for his wife Meera Kalmadi or any other member of his family.

Former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is seeking renomination from Chandigarh. He is insisting that the CBI has “come to the conclusion” that he was not at all involved in a case in which his nephew was caught accepting bribe from a Railway Board Member.

Early finalisation of candidates for elections was a key recommendation of the A K Antony Committee, which Rahul is keen to implement in the coming general elections scheduled to be held in April-May.

Candidate selection process has been fast tracked this time unlike in recent decades in a bid to give at least two months time to the nominees to prepare for the elections.