Cong releases first list of candidates for MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana

The much anticipated initial candidates’ list for the upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana was released on Sunday. The Congress unveiled 144 candidates for Madhya Pradesh. Going by the initial list, Kamal Nath will be contesting from his hometown of Chindwada, Digvijay Singh’s son, Jaivardhan Singh, will contest from the Raghogarh constituency.

Additionally, notable names from Kamal Nath’s previous cabinet, such as Jitu Patwari and Umang Sihar, have been included.  The party has chosen Vikram Mastal to challenge the incumbent Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Budni assembly.

In Chhattisgarh, the first list features the current Chief Minister, Baghel, who will run for re-election in his Patan constituency. The Deputy Chief Minister, TS Singh Dev, has secured a ticket for the Ambikapur state assembly seat.

Like the BJP, Congress has also decided to field its Members of Parliament in the state elections.  The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief, A Revanth Reddy, who currently serves in the Lok Sabha, will contest from the Kodangal assembly.

Additionally, Congress MP Uttam Kumar Reddy will represent the party in the state elections from Huzurnagar. The BJP had criticised Congress for not releasing its list for the state elections, but party sources explained that they were waiting for an auspicious time during Navratri to announce their first list.

In these three states, special attention is being given to the proper representation of OBC (Other Backward Classes) and youth candidates, as Rahul Gandhi has been stressing the OBC issue in these elections.

On the other hand, the state of Rajasthan is still awaiting the release of its first list of candidates. It has been learned that internal disputes within the party in Rajasthan have prevented a consensus on candidates. Surveys have suggested changes in over 40 sitting candidates, which the leaders of the Rajasthan Congress are hesitant to accept.