JAIPUR: Potential to win elections will be the only criteria for fielding candidates in the upcoming assembly polls, Kumari Selja, chairperson of Congress screening committee for Rajasthan, said on Monday. Final decision in the selection of candidates would be of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, she said.

The Congress leader was here to participate in the first meeting of Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) headed by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sachin Pilot. “The PEC has passed a unanimous resolution saying that the Congress president Rahul ji will take a final call on the selection of candidates for coming elections,” Selja said after the meeting that lasted for nearly three-hours at the PCC headquarters.

The three-member screening committee under Selja would be taking suggestions from the PEC members again on October 12 for short-listing candidates. “PEC members can meet us and give suggestions in writing. If someone recommends a name, the person will have to take full responsibility,” Selja said. She added, “There are lots of aspirants for the Congress symbol this time; it’s a challenge that we are facing.”

On being asked what will be the criteria to shortlist candidates, Selja replied, “Winnability is the only criteria. We will try to field those who can win.”

The screening committee chairperson’s statement has put to rest speculations about parameters like age, defeat in last two successive elections, big defeat margins in 2013 and sitting MPs or ex-MPs not being considered for assembly polls.

The PEC meeting was attended by top Congress brass, including AICC general secretaries Ashok Gehlot and Avinash Pande, publicity and publication committee chairman C P Joshi, campaign committee chairman Raghu Sharma, former ministers, sitting and former parliamentarians as well as legislators, among its 44-members.

“In the resolution moved by me and passed by the PEC it has been included that every PEC member will individually meet the screening committee and give suggestions in writing. The screening committee will consider and move the suggestions to Congress president Rahul ji, who will take the final decision on selection of candidates,” said Sachin Pilot.