Raipur
Late Tuesday evening witnessed the announcement of candidates by the Congress party for the remaining 4 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh. Notably, the absence of PCC chief Deepak Baij, the incumbent MP from Bastar, from this list has sparked discussions. Speculations were rife regarding Baij’s potential candidacy from Kanker; however, the ticket has been granted to Devesh Thakur.
In a strategic move, Bhilai Nagar MLA Devendra Yadav has been unveiled as the candidate from Bilaspur. Shashi Singh, hailing from Surguja, and Dr. Menka Devi Singh representing Raigarh, have also secured their places on the ticket. Earlier, on Saturday, former minister Kawasi Lakhma was nominated as the Lok Sabha candidate from the Bastar seat.
Shashi Singh, entrusted with the responsibility from Surguja Lok Sabha constituency, carries a notable lineage, being the daughter of the late Tuleshwar Singh, a former minister, and the granddaughter of former MP and MLA Khel Sai Singh. Currently, Shashi Singh holds the position of president of the district panchayat.
Devesh Thakur, who faced defeat in the 2019 Kanker Lok Sabha elections by a margin of 6914 votes, has emerged as a significant candidate. Thakur, currently serving as the vice president of the state Congress committee, embarked on his political journey from the grassroots level, serving as a Janpad member multiple times before securing positions in district panchayats.
Devendra Yadav’s nomination from Bilaspur echoes his political ascendancy, having clinched victories as a Congress MLA from Bhilai Nagar in both 2018 and 2023, despite the party’s setback in the recent assembly elections after a five-year rule. Yadav’s political journey is adorned with notable achievements, including his stint as the youngest mayor of the country at the age of 25.
Dr. Menka Devi Singh’s nomination from the Raigarh Lok Sabha seat, representing Scheduled Tribes (ST), reflects Congress’ commitment to inclusive representation. With four decades of association with the party, Dr. Singh has been actively involved in social service. Her familial legacy, deeply rooted in public service, adds to her candidacy’s credibility.
The Congress party’s decision comes after the release of its initial list on March 8, which included candidates for 39 seats across the nation. In Chhattisgarh, 6 candidates were announced for the 11 seats, featuring prominent figures such as a former CM, 2 former ministers, a former MLA, and a Korba MP.
