8 nominees submit papers for Chhattisgarh bypoll

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Jan 17 (UNI) Eight candidates submitted their nomination papers today for Bastar district's Keshkal assembly byelection, official sources said.

Mr Budhram Markam (Congress), Mr Sewak Ram Netam (Bharatiya Janata Party) and the BJP's dummy nominee Lohdiram Markam were among those who submitted papers today, the last day for doing so.

Scrutiny will take place tomorrow and names may be withdrawn until January 21. Polling is scheduled on February 4 and counting is to take place on February 7.

The byelection was necessitated by the demise of MLA Mahesh Baghel in a road mishap.

UNI XC AC MSJ BST1810