Bangalore: On a day when the Karnataka Cabinet decided to recommend dissolution of the Assembly, the in-charge of the party's affairs in the State Vilasrao Deshmukh said winnability would be the main criterion in the candidate selection process.

Deshmukh, the Congress general secretary and former Maharashtra Chief Minister, told reporters in Bangalore that Congress was strong enough in the State and would not require any allies. But anybody wanting to "join the party unconditionally, is welcome", he added.

After meeting up with party workers, MLAs, MPs and office-bearers, he said he had come to the State as a representative of the party president Sonia Gandhi and to safeguard and protect her interests and he would "do whatever is necessary".

"I am sure, the Congress will come back to power and also send a maximum number of MPs to make Sonia Gandhi the next Prime Minister," Deshmukh said.

Asked if Chief Minister S M Krishna would continue in his post if the party returned to power in the State, he said it was for the high command to decide, but categorically said Krishna would lead the party campaign in the State.

Asked if ticket would be denied to former Minister Roshan Baig, who quit in the wake of allegations against him in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, Deshmukh said, "I can't say right now." The party's central leadership would take a decision based on the recommendation of the Pradesh Election Committee, he added.