Jharkhand Congress chief files papers for assembly by-poll

Congress state unit president Suhdeo Bhagat on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the December 14 by-election to the Jharkhand assembly from the Lohardagga constituency.

Hemant Soren, working president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on Wednesday announced support of the main opposition party to Bhagat so as to bring together anti-BJP forces in the state.

The JMM has not fielded its candidate in the by-election. JMM sources said Congress leaders had approached the party leaders and sought support in the by-poll.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik's Bandhu Tirkey, a former minister, is also in the fray. The National Democratic Alliance led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Niru Bhagat of All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU).

The Lohardagga seat fell vacant after Niru Bhagart's husband and AJSU legislator Kamal Kishore Bhagat was sentenced to seven-year imprisonment in June in an attempt to murder case.