CPI to support SP candidate in Ballia bypoll

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) The Communist Pary of India (CPI) today declared its support for the Samajwadi Party(SP) candidate, who happens to be the son of former Prime Minister Chadra Shekhar, in the Ballia parliamentary elections.

The Ballia seat, which is in eastern Uttar Pradesh, had fallen vacant due to the death of Mr Shekhar.

His son Neeraj Shekhar is contesting for the seat on the SP ticket.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan has directed his Uttar Pradesh unit to extend full support to the SP candidate, the party said here today.

Mr Neeraj Shekhar has already been assured of support by the Communist Party of India(CPI-M).

The poll is slated for December 29. The BSP candidate is seen as the nearest rival to Mr Shekhar.

Ballia, the home town of the late Chandra Shekhar, has been his stronghold for decades in the Lok Sabha elections.

UNI