Imphal, January 09: Fear of a mass exodus and revolt by disgruntled ticket aspirants has delayed the list of Congress (I) candidates for the Assembly polls.

A Congress Bhavan source said party leaders have the apprehension that those who miss the bus might leave the party and contest elections against the official�s party candidates.

The AICC general secretary Imran Kidwai during his visit to Imphal a few days back had reportedly brought the approved list of Congress (I) candidates for declaration here.

He, however, could not make it public due to protests by ticket aspirants who suspected that their names are not figured in the list, the source said.

During his short stay, Imran Kidwai sent a report to the AICC high command, Sonia Gandhi about the present ground situation in the allotment of party tickets.

On the advice of Sonia Gandhi, Kidwai got all the ticket aspirants signed on the affidavit with a pledge that they will, not leave the party even if they are not given the ticket, the source said.

In the seventh Assembly elections, the Congress (I) won 11 seats but only the former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing did not abandon the party while the others led by former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam decided to form a Samata Party led coalition.

Imran Kidwai left Imphal for Delhi with the affidavits of the ticket aspirants yesterday.

The list may be declared either on January 12 or 13.