Congress invites feedback about MCD poll aspirants
CALL CENTRE Ticketseekers asked to provide five references from each polling booth, all sitting councillors likely to get tickets
NEW DELHI: To ensure that only leaders with grassroots-level support get tickets for the upcoming municipal polls, the Delhi Congress has set up a call centre to cross-check their claims and credibility among party workers.
The party has sought applications from ticket-seekers with five references from each polling booth.
On an average, each ward has around 45 such booths. Therefore, each candidate has to give around 200 references.
“All references will be contacted through a calling agent to know their feedback about every candidate. They will be asked certain questions and will verify information furnished by an individual with the application. A dedicated call centre has been set up by the party. All calls will be recorded,” said Delhi congress chief Ajay Maken.
A senior party functionary said party volunteers have been given special training for the purpose and provided with a set of questions.
“All sitting councillors in the three municipal corporations are likely to get tickets this time too, however, the final call will be taken on the basis of feedback from party workers,” he said.
“A message has been conveyed to all sitting councillors that they will be given tickets. If the character of their wards has changed post delimitation or reservation (SC/ women) of seats, they can suggest names of their family members. The party will give due consideration to their suggestions,” he said.
In the three corporations, the Congress has 88 councillors. Earlier, the party had set February 15 as the deadline to submit applications for the election tickets, however, this was extended to February 19.
This was due to overwhelming response from ticket seekers, another senior leader said.