MCD elections: Congress releases first list of 140 candidates

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday announced its first list of its 140 candidates, with nearly 50 percent being sitting councillors, for the MCD polls to be held on April 23.

The Congress has reposed faith in its own sitting councillors while the ruling BJP has decided not to field its sitting councillors in the elections.

There are 272 wards in three municipal corporations in the city including 104 each in South and North Delhi Municipal Corporation and 64 in East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

The names of the rest of the candidates will be announced soon.

Delhi Congress conducted an elaborate process to select its candidates through feedback of booth-level workers about their preferences of party candidates, from a call centre.

Over 39,000 workers gave their feedback naming candidates they preferred among over 11,000 applicants who have sought tickets for MCD polls.

The AICC has appointed a three member screening committee, including Anand Sharma, Randeep Surjewala and Manic Tagore, to help in selection of candidates and redress grievances of workers.

Nearly 50 percent of candidates are sitting councillors, a senior party leader said.

"Winnability and opinion of grass-root level party workers dominate the candidate selection process," Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said.

The two sitting councillors, one each from BJP and AAP, who recently joined Congress have also been given tickets.