In cars and on the roadside, in the makeshift canteen and office rooms, in the corridors and the lawns, the endless ticket talk went on. While some hopefuls were busy charting out strategies, others were busy on their mobiles or waited quietly.

Even though it was clear that the list for the Delhi candidates would not be declared before midnight, the hopefuls did not want give up the wait. And joining them were the 11 cells in the DPCC, representing different interest groups in the party.

The members of the Congress Minority Cell were there, looking forward to 18 seats that were promised to them, which constitutes more than 20 per cent of the total seats in Delhi. According to the chairman of the cell Mohammad Salmani: ``There are 20 lakh votes in the city''. But he is not sure exactly how many will come his way after the ticket distribution. ``The majority votes should not be considered while giving tickets because ours is the only secular party''

The 18 seats that Salmani is demanding for minorities are Minto Road for Muslims, Jangupur for Sikhs, Okhla for Muslims, Hari Nagar for Sikhs, Tilak Nagar for Jains, Vishnu Garden for Sikhs, Saket for Muslims, Tughlakabad for Muslims, Gandhi Nagar for Jains, Babarpur for Muslims, Seelampur for Muslims, Seemapuri for Christians, Yamuna Vihar for Muslims, Qarawal Nagar for Muslims, Paharganj for Muslims and Jains, Maita Mahal for Muslims, Ballimaran for Muslims and Sadar for Muslims.

Putting up a case for doctors, convenor of the Doctors' Cell, Dr Rajiv Tandon says: ``We have been promised four seats by the high command. Since both Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dikshit seem to want people with better backgrounds to improve the image of the Congress. So fielding doctors would be the best way out for the party''.

The cell wants Dr A.K. Walia to stand from East Delhi, Dr S.C. Vats in Shakur Basti, Dr S.M. Mishra in Krishna Nagar and Dr Rajiv Tandon from Mahipalpur.

The crucial Traders' Cell is after two seats, in Najafgarh and Moti Nagar. Says convenor of the cell Arun Jain: ``Though there is a swing away from the BJP in the trader community thanks to the policies of the Delhi Government on issues like sales tax and licencing, not too many candidates have come asking for tickets. I am hoping that there is more enthusiasm for this party if the two seats are given''.