Cong to support Left candidates in byelections

Patna, Oct 26: The Congress today pledged support to the Left party candidates in the coming Parliamentary byelections to Nalanda and Bhagalpur seats despite presence of a nominee from the RJD, a constituent of the UPA.

Chief spokesman of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee(BPCC) H K Verma said here today that a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting, chaired by BPCC chief Sadanand Singh, in accordance with directives of the high command.

The party high command had decided to support Gaya Singh in Nalanda and left the issue of chosing candidates in Bhagalpur to local party units, he added.

Bhagalpur district Congress had taken a decision to throw its weight in favour of CPI(M) candidate Subodh Rai and BPCC would back the decision.

The LJP, another constituent of the UPA, had since announced support to the Left parties in the November six byelections thus isolating the RJD, which fielded candidates on its own in Bhagalpur, while at Nalanda they would support an Independent candidate.

UNI