Mahant keen to contest Assembly elections

Frontrunner for the coveted Chief Ministerial post, if Congress clinches power in upcoming elections, Charandas Mahant, has given a big statement over his candidature for the upcoming Assembly polls. “If high command permits I am ready to fight the upcoming polls”, he said to reporters here at a press conference in Korba.

Speaking to reporters he said, “I have been presently assigned a big responsibility of Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Election Campaign Committee, hence it would not be justified that I should have claimed ticket myself during the process ended recently.” Notable, he had not filed his application for party ticket and the last date for it has been over.

Even though, he said, if high command instructs he was ready to fight the polls. “My supporters from constituencies of Sakti, Katghora and Baikunthpur are requesting me to be candidate from these seats. If New Delhi gives a green signal, I would prefer any one of these three, he said.

Replying to a query that CGPCC Chief, Bhuesh Baghel and Leader of Opposition T.S. Singhdeo too have filled their forms even being in important posts, Mahant said they were sitting MLAs. They have their rights on respective seats. They have thus applied in due process.

Commenting on candidature of sitting Kota MLA Renu Jogi, suspense remains and it should be left as it is. He again asserted that all depends on party high command’s decision.

Regarding possible alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mahant said, “These two political parties have shown their willingness to make an alliance with Congress but discussions has not reached to any conclusion”.

Reacting on mobile distribution by the state government, Mahant said the distribution is not being challenged but objection is on corruption in name of poor.