Congress picks royal scion as candidate for Chhattisgarh by-poll

RAIPUR - The Congress has decided to field U.S. Singhdeo as its candidate for the Bhatgaon assembly by-poll in Surguja district in Chhattisgarh scheduled Oct 1.

“The Congress has decided to go with Singhdeo who belongs to Surguja’s erstwhile royal family, as he has strong association with the residents for years. I am sure the party will wrest the seat from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),” Ramesh Varlyani, Congress state spokesman, told IANS.

The by-poll was necessitated following the death of BJP leader and Bhatgaon MLA Ravi Shankar Tripathi (55), a first-time legislator, in a car crash in April.

The BJP is likely to field Rajni Tripathi, wife of the late MLA, as senior state-level party leaders feel that sympathy for her husband can ensure an easy victory for the BJP.

The filing of nomination papers for the seat began Sep 6 and would end Sep 13. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is Sep 16 while counting will take place Oct 4.

The BJP has 47 members in the 90-member state assembly while the Congress has 39 and the Bahujan Samaj Party has two members. Two seats are vacant.