Cong candidate to file nomination papers in presence of Kamal Nath

BHOPAL: Congress will take two more days to officially announce the names of candidates for Shahdol Lok Sabha and Nepanagar assembly seat by-poll in Madhya Pradesh. However, sources in the party said that the high-command and central leadership has more-or-less decided on fielding Himadri Singh, daughter of former MPs Daljit Singh and Rajesh Nandini Singh from Shahdol seat. PCC spokesman Ravi Saxena said that AICC general secretary in-charge of state affairs Mohan Prakash and state Congress president Arun Yadav will make a final tour of the Lok Sabha constituency before announcing the name of the candidate.
"The two leaders will be in Shahdol on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to speak to party workers in the area," Ravi Saxena told TOI.AICC president Sonia Gandhi has given former Union minister Kamal Nath the charge of by-poll management in Shahdol. Candidate's name will be announced by Thursday and next morning, Kamal Nath is scheduled to accompany the candidate, most likely Himadri, for filing of nomination papers. The senior Congress leader will also campaign for the candidate and address two public meetings on Friday afternoon. First public meeting will be held in Shahdol town while the next in Umaria. Shahdol Lok Sabha reserved tribal seat with eight assembly segments runs through four districts - Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur and Katni. Speaking about Congress' likely candidate Himadri, a senior party leader said, "Himadri's father Daljit Singh was Union minister and twice MP from the seat.
Her mother Rajesh Nandini Singh was also MP from the same seat in 2009. She passed away in May this year." Himadri is a post-graduate from Delhi University and worked with her mother in the constituency. "She was actively working with her mother Rajesh Nandini Singh and hence, is the most popular face across the eight assembly segments," the Congress leader said. There are two other names in the panel including former Anuppur MLA Bisahulal Singh and sitting legislator from Pusprajgarh seat Fundelal Singh Marco. Shahdol Lok Sabha seat was vacated after BJP MP Dalpat Singh Paraste died on June 1 following a brain haemorrhage.