High command to decide CM candidates

Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has favoured projecting Chief Ministerial faces of the party in poll-bound States, on Wednesday, said it is upto the high command to decide.

While talking to mediapersons, he said,     "On the issue of projecting a face, not just Cong but other parties also have varying strategies depending upon the situation. I have clarified that my view about it should be seen nationally (and not for MP in particular).

"Ultimately, the party high command will take the final decision," Scindia told. He was here on Wednesday before leaving for Mungaoli and Kolaras Assembly constituencies, to thank voters for the party's victory in the recent by-elections. Assembly elections are due in MP this year.

"I am a loyal worker of the party, and whatever onus the leadership bestowed upon me, whether as a Union Min, the Cong chief whip in the Lok Sabha or as an MP, I have always tried to fulfill my duties," Scindia said.

A section of Cong leadership in the state is demanding that the party should declare its face for the election to take on  CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. But another view in the party is that the Congress traditionally doesn't project Chief Ministerial candidates.

On the reduced victory margins in Kolaras and Mungaoli Assembly by-elections, Scindia attributed it to Chouhan and his entire Cabinet camping in the two constituencies and the ruling BJP using all tactics to lure voters.

"We have exposed large-scale irregularities in voter lists in the two constituencies and I thanked the Election Commission for taking unbiased decisions in the matter, including the transfer of Ashoknagar Collector," he said.

Scindia also thanked senior party leaders for their support. The party demonstrated unity during the bypolls which resulted in the victory, he said, adding that people have given a clear message that the days of the BJP Govt are numbered.