Congress to issue final list today, says Khuntia

■ List of 19 candidates finalised, sent to Rahul for his approval

The Congress will announce the final list of candidates for the Assembly elections on Saturday, incharge of Telangana Congress affairs R.C. Khuntia said in Delhi on Friday.

Mr Khuntia held a meeting with Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and AICC secretary Bosuraju in Karnataka Bhavan and finalised the list of 19 candidates. The Congress has already announced the list of 75 candidates in two phases. However, the

■ Justice was not done to the Yadava, Khurma and Khamma communities, says former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary.

Congress is contesting in 94 constituencies, leaving 25 seats to allies.

Speaking to media persons, Mr Khuntia said, “We have finalised the candidates and sent it for the approval of AICC president Rahul Gandhi and will announce the names on Saturday. As the competition is heavy that we received 10 to 40 applications in many constituencies, the announcement of the candidates is delayed. There is no worry for Ponnala Lakshmiah and the party will do justice to him. As the confidence on Mahakutami touched high, there is a huge demand for the tickets of Congress.”

He added, “There is clarity on the 25 seats that were to be allotted to allies. There will no problem with the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Though TJS is contesting in 12 constituencies, we have our strategies. We have huge respect towards Mr Kodandaram.”

Meanwhile, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary has expressed dissatisfaction over ticket allotments. Speaking to media persons in Delhi, she said, “Justice was not done to the Yadava, Khurma and Khamma communities. Only one community has owned most of the tickets. If the situation seems to be continued I will visit Khammam district soon and will have a talk with the party workers to decide on the future plan. Doesn’t the Congress need the votes of BCs and Khammas?”