Lok Sabha elections: Congress announces 16 additional candidates, Vikramaditya Singh to face Kangana Ranaut in Mandi

In a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Congress party unveiled 16 additional candidates, bringing the total tally to 259. Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh will be contesting against BJP's candidate, the prominent actor Kangana Ranaut, in the Mandi constituency.

This decision was ratified during a meeting of the Congress' Central Election Committee, presided over by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Sources indicate that there was a consensus at the state level to field Vikramaditya for Mandi, a seat currently held by his mother, Pratibha Singh, who also heads the state party.

Nomination discussions for Haryana

Furthermore, the CEC discussed nominations for Haryana, including Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda from Rohtak and Congress General Secretary Kumari Selja from Sirsa. However, the final names for Haryana are yet to be disclosed.

Shuffle in candidature

The candidature shuffle also saw sitting Punjab MP Manish Tewari being relocated to Chandigarh, reflecting the party's strategy to field strong contenders in key constituencies.

Expansion of candidate list

Congress also announced nine more candidates for Odisha, including former minister Srikant Jena, bringing the total count to 17. Additionally, Himmatsinh Patel has been named as the Congress candidate for Ahmedabad East. In alliances, Congress has earmarked the Kurukshetra seat for AAP, underlining collaborative efforts.

Ongoing discussions for Punjab

Discussions are ongoing for Punjab, with Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Warring affirming that announcements for candidates are imminent. He emphasized a mix of incumbents and fresh faces, aligning with the party's focus on winnability.