Fresh dilemma for Congress

​Hyderabad: The Congress is facing the prospect of rift between the senior leaders and new comers as both are demanding party ticket in the next elections in their respective Assembly segments.

The PCC leaders are facing the heat from constituencies and are trying to pacify the quarreling groups. The issue has come to the fore during the Praja Chaitanya Bus Yatra of the Congress.

The Congress has admitted several leaders of other parties, particularly from Telugu Desam in the past few months. It is expecting some more migrations from other parties in the next few months. The leaders who have been joining the party are seeking a promise from the PCC and the AICC on allotment of ticket in the next Assembly elections.

As many as 10 leaders of other parties who have joined the party have been given assurance by the Congress leadership so far. These leaders have already started ground work in their respective constituencies.

However, this has riled the serial leaders of those constituencies and led to public outbursts. During the Praja Chaitanya Yatra some of these leaders have stated that admitting one into Congress did not mean assurance of allotment of ticket, indirectly indicating that they did not accept the promises made by the party leaders to the new comers, in the presence of PCC leaders.

In constituencies like Warangal West, Nagarkurnool, Narsampet and others were witnessing this phenomenon. This may spread to other constituencies as the admissions into the Congress continue.

The old leaders have been arguing that they have been working for the party since decades and with the entry of leaders of other parties they have been losing the opportunity to contest in the elections.

Countering their arguments, the new comers maintain that the party should get new blood which can brighten the winning prospects of the party. The PCC leaders are trying to pacify the seniors by stating that admitting leaders of other parties was necessary to strengthen the party. The party should induct some leaders of other parties where it was weak. The old leaders could be accommodated in government posts once the party comes back to power.

The PCC leaders told the aspiring old leaders that the party is facing a now or never like situation and a win is a must for the party in the next general elections. They should understand the situation and should ensure that party wins the elections by sacrificing their interests if required.