Bangalore :Nandan Nilekani gets Lok Sabha ticket without joining Congress

TNN

Bangalore, Feb 20, 2014 : UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, who’s got the Congress high command nod for Bangalore South, is perhaps the only candidate to bag a ticket without even becoming a party member. As expected, it has caused heartburn among many in the party, especially contenders for the seat.

The Congress is expected to release its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections this weekend or in the first week of March.

Nilekani made a headstart and began groundwork in Bangalore South six months ago, when his candidature was mere speculation. Contenders for the ticket feel he has sailed through in a prime constituency, while they’ve toiled for years for the party. Nilekani, though, doesn’t see himself as an outsider in the Congress party.

 

Besides kicking off his campaign, he’s been meeting party leaders and functionaries from Bangalore South, all without becoming a primary member of the Congress. Since he is the Congress high command’s choice, his formal entry into the party is also expected to take place in New Delhi.

Sources close to him told TOI on Wednesday: "Nilekani joining the party is only a formality. He’s been working with the Congress andUPA governments for the past five years. His first tryst with the government was during SM Krishna’s tenure as Karnataka CM, when he was part of the Bangalore Agenda Task Force. Besides, he’s worked closely with the Congress for a long time, and is waiting for the party’s guidance to join.’’

It’s learnt that Nilekani will be stepping down from his post as UIDAI chairman around March-end, by which time Aadhaar enrolment could touch the 60-crore mark. With Parliament in session, there could be issues raised in both Houses on Aadhaar, which would require his presence.