Congress leader Pawan Bansal, who lost to BJP's Kirron Kher in the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh constituency, is facing a tough competition from Manish Tiwari and Navjot Kaur Sidhu to retain the ticket for 2019 general election, according to sources.

Sources within the party said that Tiwari is eyeing this seat since last many elections, but in 2009 he was sent to contest from Ludhiana constituency where he won.

In 2014, he didn't contest elections because of health issues. However, Congress managed to win Ludhiana in that election.

Before 2014, Bansal won from Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency a couple of times in past elections.

According to sources, Bansal is keen to contest this time too, but Tiwari is backed by many in Congress including Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu, also wants to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from this seat, sources added.

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