The Congress is in search of a formidable candidate to take on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi from his Maninagar constituency in the Assembly polls next month.

While several names have been floated for the slot, its leadership is yet to zero in on a nominee who it feels could give Modi a run for his money, party sources said.

They said moves to field some film-star or any relative of the Mahatma have been given up as a section of the party feels that it could make the tussle only a token fight. None of the state leaders have so far shown readiness to take on Modi.

State Congress leaders are also impressing upon the leadership to field good candidates against key associates of the chief minister in a bid to ensure that the saffron campaign in the state faces difficulties.