Cong candidate in Simaria violates UPA spirit : Mehta

Hazaribagh, Jan 19 (UNI) CPI state secretary and Hazaribagh MP Bhuvneshwar Mehta today said fielding separate Congress candidate for the Simaria bypoll without making any consensus among the UPA allies smacked of ''political dishonesty''.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Mehta said meeting of the UPA allies had been called in Simaria on January 21 to discuss the issue, but separate Congress candidature would embolden the communal forces.

Mr Mehta said other UPA partners - Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, RJD and CPI(M) - had already extended their support to party candidate Ramchandra Ram in the by-election.

'' The leaders, including Mr Lalu Prasad, Mr Sibu Soren and Mr A B Bardhan, are likely to address election rallies in Simaria, '' Mr Mehta added.

The CPI leaders said the strategy would be finalised after the UPA meeting to be held in Simaria.

The by-election, necessitated following the death BJP MLA Upendranath Das, is slated for February four and counting of votes would take place on February seven.

Others in the fray included Kumar Ujjwal as BJP candidate and Jai Prakash Singh Bhokta as Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) candidate.

UNI XC-AM SJC SY KP1823