Congress invites applications for Haryana elections, but with a price tag

CHANDIGARH: Upbeat over the results in the Lok Sabha elections, the Haryana Congress on Friday started the exercise of shortlisting aspirants for the upcoming assembly polls.
The party has invited aspirants to fill the specially designed application forms and has put a price tag for various categories. The last date for the submission of these application forms is July 31.The Haryana assembly elections are likely to be held by October this year.
Earlier in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party had managed to win five out of the 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana.
As per information, Rs 20,000 per application per constituency has been fixed for those applying from the general category, while Rs 5,000 each has been fixed for the aspirants belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and women categories.
It is learned that the move has surprised the aspirants. However, it did not deter them from procuring the application forms to try their hand in electoral politics.
Some of the senior leaders have raised questions on charging money for the application forms. “This will keep the people from poor background away from electoral politics…in other parties, they just go for a survey after inviting the applications,” said a senior Congress leader from Haryana.
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Udai Bhan though justified the move and said the trend was being followed for the last over three decades. “Idea is not to collect the party fund but to ensure that only serious candidates come forward for elections. Since the party is doing well and there is a strong undercurrent in favour of the Congress, we are expecting a good turnout of aspirants,” said Udai Bhan.