SHILLONG: The Congress on Monday became the first party in the state to notify the schedule for calling applications from aspiring candidates to contest the 2018 polls.
As per the schedule, collection of application forms from the MPCC office will be from August 31 to September 15.
The last date for submission of applications to the respective Block Congress Committees is October 4.
The schedule further states that the last date for BCCs to submit the list of screened applications to their respective district Congress committees is October 31 while the last date for the district units to submit the list of recommended candidates to MPCC is on November 22.
The screening of recommended candidates by MPCC is on November 30.
Earlier, MPCC president DD Lapang had cited the reason for calling the applications early by saying this would determine who among the sitting Congress legislators will apply for party tickets since there is apprehension that some MLAs will leave the party ahead of the polls.
Other political parties are yet to decide the dates.
The NPP election committee is likely to meet only in September to discuss the matters related to calling applications among others.
BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh said though the desire of the state leadership is to have early declaration of candidates, the BJP central leadership will take a final call on the timing of the announcement.
Though UDP and HSPDP entered into pre-poll alliance, only the seats of majority of sitting legislators have been cleared by both the parties.
The alliance is yet to officially release the names of contesting candidates.
