‘Primaries in Cong are nothing but auctions’

Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma bluntly questioned Congress “primaries” system introduced by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying “tickets were being auctioned under the system”. “With due respect to Rahul Gandhi, I don’t agree with this system. I feel tickets are being auctioned in this system,” said Beni here Monday.

The Congress “primaries” system has been introduced in two UP seats — Sant Kabir Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar .
Beni alleged that the system of primaries is being sabotaged by Samajwadi Party leaders who, according to him, have got enrolled as members and were playing a significant role in

selection of Congress candidate. “Since Congress is very weak here, it is the SP men who are enrolling members and finally they would play the role in choosing the Congress candidate, which should not be done,” said Beni. He denied having any vested interests in the two seats where ‘primaries’ are to be held.