Bangalore: Gearing up for 2014: Rahul Gandhi's team to conduct secret survey

Bangalore, Sep 3 (DHNS): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is learnt to be sending a team comprising his close aides to Karnataka by this month-end to conduct a secret survey on the party's position and prepare a list of probable candidates for the crucial 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Besides, the party sources said, a Bangalore-based agency has been entrusted with the responsibility to conduct an independent survey. The agency will visit all districts, hold consultation with the local party workers and prepare a separate list of probable candidates.

This apart, both AICC and KPCC have already sent observers to each of 28 Lok Sabha seats to gather information on probable party candidates.

Sources said Rahul has informed all these teams that winnability should be only criterion for selecting the candidates in the constituencies where the BJP and the JD(S) are strong. He has set a target of winning at least 25 seats in the State.

Membership drive

Election to the State youth Congress committee is likely to be held by the end of this year. Indian Youth Congress election authority has currently taken up a membership drive in the State.

The election would be conducted after publishing the names of new members, K T Benny of the authority said on Monday.

The authority is aiming at ten lakh new members under the drive, which is scheduled to be completed on September 5, he added.