Former MPCC chief to contest from Ramtek as an independent

Mumbai, Mar 15 (UNI) Former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Ranjit Deshmukh is all set to contest the Ramtek Lok Sabha bypoll as an independent candidate with the support of Sena-BJP.

Talking to UNI, Mr Deshmukh confirmed the development and said that discussions for the support from other opposition parties were on.

Mr Deshmukh, a senior leader from Vidarbha, who had twice held the post of MPCC President and was a senior minister in the State, fell out of Congress high command reckoning since 2004.

A staunch supporter of a separate Vidarbha State, Mr Deshmukh had floated his front during the recent local body elections which resulted in Sena-BJP victory in Nagpur.

Ramtek by-elections were necessitated after sitting Sena MP Subodh Mohite joined Congress and is likely to get nomination from the party.

UNI