Congress rules out alliance in bypolls, to go solo on all 7 seats

Jaipur: State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra on Monday said the party will contest all seven seats going to bypolls on Nov 13 and will do so alone, without any alliance. Dotasra said neither has anyone contacted the party for an alliance, nor has the party reached out to anyone. He said a panel of probable candidates for the seven seats has been made and the final announcement will be made by the high command.
When asked about an alliance with the Hanuman Beniwal-led RLP, Dotasra said neither side has initiated any discussions. "As Beniwal ji said, the INDIA alliance is in Delhi, not here," Dotasra said. There was speculation about a Congress-RLP alliance for the bypoll in Khinvsar seat.
"We have prepared panels for all seven seats and will send the panels of candidates to the high command. If the high command makes any decision on alliances, we will follow that," he added.
A meeting of the state coordination committee was held at the PCC war room on Monday. It was led by AICC in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and attended by Dotasra, former CM Ashok Gehlot, leader of opposition Tikaram Jully, ex-speaker CP Joshi and ex-minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh. Former deputy CM Sachin Pilot could not attend the meeting as he was abroad.
Speaking to the media, Randhawa said, "We have prepared a panel of candidates for all seven seats and submitted the names to the central election committee. After discussions with the high command, the names will be announced." He too said the party will contest the bypolls independently and added that if anyone contacts the party for an alliance, discussions will be held in Delhi.