Cong fields Satpal Maharaj for Pauri Lok Sabha seat

New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) The Congress today announced that former Union Minister Satpal Maharaj would contest the February 24 bypoll to the Pauri Lok Sabha seat.

The BJP has fielded Mr T P S Rawat who had been brought to politics by Mr Maharaj as Congressman.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi ''has approved the name of Shri Satpal Maharaj as party candidate for the byelection to Lok Sabha from Garhwal constituency in Uttarkhand,'' Mr Oscar Fernandes, Permanent Invitee to CWC, said in a statement.

The Pauri seat was vacated by Chief Minister B C Khanduri after his election to the assembly from the Dhumakot constituency.

Mr Rawat. who had vacated the Dhumakot seat to help Maj Gen (Rtd) Khanduri to enter the assembly, had been declared the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.

Mr Maharaj and Mr Rawat are friends-turned political foes. Mr Maharaj had helped Mr Rawat become a minister in the Narayan Dutt Tiwari Cabinet six years ago.

UNI SN RP DS1607