Cong leaders convey desires on contesting

Jaipur: With just a few months left for assembly polls, Congress leaders have expressed their wishes to contest or not contest the assembly elections.

Education Minister BD Kalla has asserted that he will be contesting the upcoming assembly elections as he was the “winning candidate”.

74-year old Kalla, who represents Bikaner west seat, said that the “field” is clear and there is no one to ask for a ticket in BJP in his constituency.

On the other hand, after Hemaram Chaudhary, Ameen Khan and Bharat Singh, Srimadhopur MLA and former assembly speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat said he will not be contesting the assembly elections.

Citing his health condition, 72 year old Shekhawat said he has decided not to contest the elections, but will serve people of the area.

Minister Hemaram Choudhary, Sheo MLA Ameen Khan, Sangod MLA Bharat Singh had earlier said that they do not want to contest next polls. Ameen Khan later said that he is ready to contest the polls. It is believed that Dhod MLA Parasram Mordia is also not willing to contest.

There are only two sitting MLAs in Cong who had won elections before 1980. UDH Min Shanti Dhariwal’s son politically active in Kota while education minister Dr BD Kalla said he will contest the election.