Congress unveils 17 more Lok Sabha candidates; Tariq Anwar gets ticket from Katihar

In a bid to bolster its presence in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress announced the candidature of 17 additional candidates, including former Union Ministers Tariq Anwar and MM Pallam Raju, and Andhra Pradesh unit president YS Sharmila Reddy. The latest list, comprising candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, underscores Congress's strategic expansion plans across diverse regions.

Noteworthy mentions include Tariq Anwar's nomination from Katihar, Bihar, where he seeks to challenge Janata Dal (United) candidate Dulalchand Goswami once again. Meanwhile, Mohammad Javed retains Congress's backing for the Kishanganj Lok Sabha seat in Bihar. The party's representation in Bihar extends to nine seats, aligning with its electoral pact with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left parties. In Andhra Pradesh, former Human Resource Development Minister Pallam Raju emerges as a key contender from Kakinada, while YS Sharmila Reddy aims to make her mark from Kadapa. With the declaration of a total of 214 candidates across different states, Congress positions itself strategically ahead of the polls, slated to commence on April 19 and extend through six subsequent phases until June 1.