Impressed by the blitzkrieg launched by the Congress to win the ongoing Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to adopt the UP model for the 2013 Assembly polls—select and announce candidates well in advance to ensure their victory.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Karnataka in-charge, V. Hanumanth Rao said, “Our leader, Rahul Gandhi has laid out a road map for the party's revival in UP. As per this plan, the party has unanimously decided to complete the selection procedure of candidates at least six months in advance.” “The observers have completed the first round of their tour and will soon begin the second round. After they finish this, they will submit a detailed report on each constituency to the leadership mid-April,” he explained.

According to him, once the KPCC gets these reports, it will verify them and make a comparison with the party’s internal assessment. “After this is over, we will announce a list of candidates so that they get enough time to canvass for votes and build their base. I agree that there are minor differences among leaders, but they will be sorted out,” he said. He said the AICC had deliberately decided to deploy central ministers from Karnataka to boost the party’s prospects. “There are Opposition leaders who are making fun of us for assigning ministers for party work. Their role is to attend programmes, sort out differences and bring any rift to the notice of our leaders,” he added.