Ex-Dadra and Nagar Haveli MP Delkar to contest as Independent

Former MP from the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and tribal leader Mohan Delkar of Congress is all set to contest as an Independent nominee, according to sources close to him.

A formal announcement is likely on Tuesday, they said Monday.

Delkar, who had represented the Dadra and Nagar Haveli seat six times in the past, met his supporters at Sayali village near Silvassa in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Monday, sources said, adding that he would make a formal announcement about his decision Tuesday.

Delkar had lost to BJP's Natubhai Patel in 2009 and2014 general elections.

While the BJP has renominated Patel, the Congress is yet to announce its candidate.

The constituency is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes.

A day earlier, BJP leader from Silvassa Ankita Patel resigned from the party in protest against renomination of Natubhai Patel.

She is reportedly trying for a Congress ticket to fight the election against the BJP MP.

"After seeking views of his supporters, workers and well-wishers, it was decided that Delkar will contest as an Independent. A formal announcement will be made Tuesday," said a close aide of Delkar.

A video clip of the meeting in which Delkar can be heard saying that he would contest as Independent nominee, has gone viral.

Delkar could not be reached for comment.

In January this year, Delkar set many tongues wagging when he shared dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public event in Silvassa.

During his previous stints as an MP, he had represented the constituency as an Independent and also from the Congress and the BJP.