Poojari rules out party poll postponement

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 16. Mr. Janardhan Poojari, chairman of the Congress(I) State Election Authority (SEA), has asserted that the party polls will not be postponed and that he would strive for a consensus on the appointment of district returning officers (DROs) for the elections.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Poojari said consultations would be held before the appointment of the DROs. The SEA would first hear the views of DCC(I) presidents and office-bearers, MPs, MLAs, KPCC(I) office-bearers and executive members, senior Congressmen and former MPs and Union Ministers. As far as the SEA was concerned, it had to ensure that the polls in the State were held in time for the November 11 AICC(I) president's election.

He said the scrutiny of membership was on at the district levels under the auspices of the scrutiny committees. The members of the committees which had looked after the local bodies election in the districts had been appointed as members of the scrutiny committees. No complaints about membership had been received so far.

Mr. Poojari said that attempts would be made to elect the office- bearers through a consensus wherever possible. Asked if the elections would be deferred till the Assembly polls, he said it was for the Central Election Authority to take a decision on this.

He said the scrutiny committees would complete their work before October 23, when the final list of primary and active members would be published. Before that, the DROs and block returning officers have to be appointed. The Pradesh Returning Officer would appoint the DROs in consultation with the DCC(I) executive.

Mr. Poojari denied reports that he had abandoned his post in the backdrop of a mounting faction feud in the party in Kerala. He said he had left for home to participate in a family function.

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Section  : Southern States
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