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Amid preparations for the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Congress has indicated to make a major change in its strategy regarding ticket distribution. This time the party is preparing to give priority to such candidates who along with the support base also have sufficient resources to contest the elections. According to the report, ticket claimants may be asked to provide proof of availability of around Rs 20 lakh in their bank account. A system of contributing about Rs 2 lakh to the party fund is also proposed.

The experience of 2022 assembly elections is considered important behind the new strategy of Congress. According to the report of India Today, in that election, Congress had given financial assistance of up to Rs 70 lakh to many candidates to contest the elections. Complaints later surfaced within the party that some candidates did not utilize the money received for the elections adequately and saved the money. In 2022, Congress had contested 399 assembly seats in UP, but it won only two seats. Now, taking lessons from the previous system, the party is preparing to lay more emphasis on the electoral ability and resources of the candidates.

Candidates will not get big election fund

This time, Congress is planning to provide campaign material and organizational support to the candidates instead of contesting the elections by paying huge sums of money like before. That is, the party wants to field such contenders who are capable of handling the election expenses at their own level. According to party sources, under the proposed system, the ticket claimant may have to show a balance of about Rs 20 lakh in his bank account. With this, it has come to light that about Rs 2 lakh was given to the party fund. Although this is a final and formal rule, it has not been publicly announced by Congress.

Not just money, winning ability is also important

Congress's strategy does not mean giving tickets only to economically strong candidates. The party wants to give priority to such faces who have influence in the field, public relations, political activism and real possibility of winning. Exceptions can also be made for candidates with strong support base but who are financially weak. In the possible ticket formula of Congress, there are indications that importance will be given to all three factors – money, support base and winning ability.

Search for candidates amid seat distribution

Before the 2027 elections, the tussle over seats continues between Congress and Samajwadi Party. Congress is demanding more seats in UP and the search for strong candidates within the party is considered to be part of the same strategy. The Congress leadership is pressing for a bigger stake in the alliance. Recent reports have also revealed that Congress' UP organization is giving importance to grassroots capacity and possible victory in ticket distribution.

The equation will change in the race for Congress ticket

If this proposed arrangement is implemented then the equation of race for Congress ticket in the 2027 assembly elections may change. Along with old party workers and political faces, such claimants who have a strong hold in their area and are capable of garnering electoral resources can also get importance. At present, the arrangement of bank balance of Rs 20 lakh and party fund contribution of Rs 2 lakh has emerged as a proposed strategy in the reports.