Malik is Congress candidate from Balagar

New Delhi, Dec 10 (UNI) The Congress Party today named Mr Vishwanath Malik as its candidate for the forthcoming by-election to Balagar constituency in West Bengal.

His candidature was cleared by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, AICC Spokesman Shakeel Ahmad told mediapersons.

Asked about the recent meeting between Ms Gandhi and Trinamool National Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, he said he did not know what actually transpired at the meeting.

Asked if there was a possibility of electoral understanding with Ms Banerjee's party, Mr Ahmad said "as far as this election is concerned, the Congress fields its candidate." UNI