To contain defections to the ruling party in the name of ‘development’ the Congress party is now asking the contestants from the party for the ZPTC and MPTC elections to given an undertaking that they would not change the party once elected and will not deceive their voters, and they would be liable for civil and criminal proceedings in case of breach of trust.
The two-page affidavit also says that they would have to follow all the decisions of the party during their five-year tenure. The elected members also have to unconditionally support the party’s nominee for Zilla Parishad chairman or vice-chairman post. TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the party contestants have to sign the affidavit and they had to take this route due to the defections encouraged by the ruling party in this term as well as previous term.
Pressure tactic
He hoped that such affidavits will definitely put pressure on the candidates if they are forced to change the party with money or favours by the ruling party.
Mr. Reddy said the party has decided to entrust the responsibility of selecting the candidates to the district presidents.
Congress candidate from Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency in the recent elections, Ponnam Prabhakar, released a similar affidavit to the people and the party saying he would not change the party after he wins. People and party were free to take any action against him in case he violated the terms in the affidavit.