New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) The Congress today began the process of selecting candidates for the forthcoming MCD polls, scheduled to be held on April 5, with the assertion that candidates with a clean record and good moral character would be given preference in the process.

Addressing a press conference here, the chief of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee Rambabu Sharma also made it clear that no preference would be given to the family members or relatives of any leader.

''Being a relative of any leader has not been a qualifying factor in the past for the selection of a candidate. This time also, it has been decided that no preference will be given either to the family members or relations of any leader,'' Mr Sharma said.

He said the DPCC was issuing an application form for the Aspiring candidates which would be routed through their respective district and block committees. There are no charges for the application form, which has to be deposited with the Delhi Pradesh office by March 6, Mr Sharma said.

The block and district Congress committees would have an important role to play in the selection of candidates, he added.

Mr Sharma also made clear that candidatures of workers, involved in criminal activity or corruption case, would not be considered.

Consideration would be given to all the sections of society - Scheduled Castes, OBCs, minorities as well as people of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Poorvanchal - in selecting the candidates, he said.

''Upcoming youths will be given importance but at the same time, experienced senior leaders will also be given due importance,''Mr Sharma added.

UNI