Congress announces candidates for assembly bypolls in Haryana, Rajasthan

The Congress on Thursday announced its candidates for the October 30 assembly by-elections in Rajasthan and Haryana. While Preeti Shaktawat will contest from the Vallabhnagar seat in Rajasthan, the party has fielded Shri Nagraj from the state's Dhariawad-ST seat.

In Haryana, the Congress has fielded Pawan Beniwal for the by-election to the Ellanabad assembly constituency.
Beniwal had recently joined the Congress from the BJP. He was the BJP's candidate from Ellananbad constituency in the last assembly elections when he lost to Indian National Lok Dal's Abhay Chautala.


Chautala's resignation over farm laws in January has necessitated the October 30 bypoll to Ellenabad assembly seat.

The polling will be held on October 30 and the results will be announced on November 2.

Also, Gobind Kanda, brother of Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda has been announced as the BJP-JJP candidate for the bypoll to Ellenabad assembly seat in Sirsa district. Gopal Kanda's party is supporting the BJP-JJP government. Gobind Kanda, who joined the BJP a few days back, filed his nomination papers Thursday.

Talking to reporters, Kanda exuded confidence that he would win the poll.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers held a protest outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate office in Sirsa against the BJP leaders and also showed black flags to them.

Kanda was accompanied by Haryana BJP chief OP Dhankar, state minister Ranjit Chautala, Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal and some other leaders.

Abhay Chautala, who was his party's lone representative in the 90-member Haryana Assembly, had in January resigned as an MLA over the three central farm laws in solidarity with protesting farmers. He represented Ellenabad, a rural constituency.