Cong list for Odisha polls likely by March 10

Congress in Odisha likely to announce candidates list for 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections by March 10.

Bhubaneswar:The Congress in Odisha is likely to announce candidates for the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections by March 10, AICC screening committee chairman for the state V.D. Satheesan said here on Wednesday.

The party's state election committee will discuss names on March 6 and candidates are likely to be announced by March 10, said Satheesan. "We are in the process of preparing the list of ticket aspirants," he said.

State Congress unit chief Niranjan Patnaik said winnability would be the primary factor in the selection of the candidate. "We will focus on youth and women. But winnability will be the major factor during the ticket distribution," said Patnaik.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too have started the candidate selection process for the twin polls.

BJD MLA Sameer Dash said the party president would announce candidates at a right time.

Odisha will have general and assembly elections, simultaneously.