Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards transparency and inclusivity, the Congress party unveiled an online portal on Sunday for individuals aspiring to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha.
AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar introduced the portal, named ‘pragaman.in,’ during a ceremony at Congress Bhavan, attended by former state president Prasad Harichandan and other senior leaders.
Addressing the media, Kumar expressed concerns about the existing electoral system, asserting that under the BJP government’s influence, only powerful individuals could participate in elections, limiting the involvement of the common man.
In response to this, Kumar highlighted the purpose behind the newly launched portal. “The Congress has initiated this portal so that individuals with a genuine intent to contribute to society can enter politics,” he stated.
Emphasizing on fairness and equality, Kumar assured that the ticket distribution through the portal would be devoid of discrimination. “Financial status, gender, caste, or religion will not be determining factors. Everyone will be treated equally, and a transparent system has been implemented for this purpose,” he added.
Interested candidates seeking a Congress ticket for the elections can apply on the portal from February 4 to February 11, according to Kumar. Notably, even the incumbent MLAs and MPs are required to use the portal for their ticket applications, reinforcing the party’s commitment to a transparent and accessible electoral process.