Cong releases second Chhattisgarh list: 22 new candidates, 10 MLAs dropped

The Congress had named 30 candidates in its first list Sunday. While 25 sitting MLAs have been retained, 10 were dropped and 22 new candidates were named in the second list.

Bhilainagar MLA Devendra Yadav, who is said to be close to CM Bhupesh Baghel and was named in an ED case, has retained his seat. But Bilaigarh MLA Chandra Dev Rai, also under the ED’s scanner, was dropped.

Ten women have been given tickets, including three sitting MLAs. But Dharsiwa MLA Anita Sharma, who contested in place of her husband Yogendra Sharma after he was killed in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack, has been replaced by former Rajya Sabha MP Chhaya Verma.

Balrampur MLA Brihaspat Singh, who had accused Deputy CM T S Singh Deo of being involved in an attack against him in 2021, lost his ticket. Singh Deo, a member of the committee that allocated tickets, had publicly said he would not take responsibility for Singh’s seat.