New Delhi: Political parties are roping in detective agencies to help select candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in six states.

After a preliminary list is made, the names are forwarded to the agencies for complete background checks, said a Congress leader. "We are not going by any caste consideration, but purely on merit and winnability factor," he added.

Though this phenomenon is not new, it has been in few cases. But for the forthcoming polls, the parties are using private eyes like never before. The chairman of the Association of Private Detectives and Investigators confirmed that private detective agencies have been booked by the Congress and other parties.

Polls are due to be held in Delhi, J&K, MP, Chattisgargh, Rajasthan and Mizoram.