JPCC President Sukhdeo Bhagat to contest assembly by-poll from Lohardaga

RANCHI: The Congress today officially approved the candidature of Jharkhand PCC President Sukhdeo Bhagat to contest the December 14 bypoll for the Lohardaga (ST) assembly seat.

"Our PCC president's candidature has been approved by the party. He will file his nomination papers tomorrow," PCC General Secretary Alok Dubey said here.

The seat fell vacant after the disqualification of Ajsu party MLA Kamal Kishore Bhagat following his conviction in a 1993 case of attack on a doctor and sentencing to seven years in jail.

The Sudesh Mahto-led Ajsu party has nominated Bhagat's wife Niru Bhagat with its senior ally BJP having given its consent.

The two ruling parties had fought the assembly elections in alliance and AJSU won the Lohardaga constituency in December last year.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) has fielded former Jharkhand minister Bandhu Tirkey as its candidate. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 17.