In a series of changes in its previous two lists of candidates announced for the Uttarakhand assembly elections, the Congress on Wednesday night released a third list, naming the party’s campaign leader Harish Rawat in the state as Lalkuva instead of the already announced Ramnagar election. is from the area. Seat.
The change in seat assumes significance as Harish Rawat’s friend-turned-foe Ranjit Rawat had staked claim for Ramnagar and had been vocal against the party’s decision to elect the former chief minister at the time of the announcement of the second list recently.
As per the third list, Ranjit will contest from the Salt seat, from where he lost in 2012. Harish Rawat has replaced Sandhya Dalkoti from Lalkuva seat.
From Ramnagar, Congress has now fielded Mahendra Pal Singh, who was earlier given ticket from Kaladhungi. Mahesh Sharma will contest from Kaladhungi. Among other changes is Gaurav Choudhary, who will contest from Doiwala in place of Mohit Uniyal.
Congress state media in-charge Rajiv Maheshwari told Indian Express That the decision to change the candidates was taken on the basis of proper evaluation and strategic approach. Harish Rawat has very good chances in Lalkuan. He was also comfortable with Ramnagar but Lalkuan is a better seat for him. Salt has been given to Ranjit Rawat, a Ramnagar fan, from the seat he has contested in the past.
“In Kaladhungi, Mahesh Sharma was an independent candidate last time and secured over 20,000 votes. Congress candidate Prakash Joshi got more than 25,000 votes. That is why the party found him the better candidate for this seat. Gaurav Chaudhary is the District President there and hence the Doiwala seat has been given. “It is a perfect list and all the candidates are going to win from their respective seats. this list will end BJP In Uttarakhand.”
With five changes and the announcement of five new names, the Congress has finalized 69 candidates for the elections to the 70-member assembly. The candidate from Tehri seat is yet to be decided.
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