As almost always on other such occasions, the Congress announced its candidate for the Bijepur Assembly by-election in Bargarh district on Sunday.
Pranaya Sahu was declared as the candidate for the by-poll, scheduled to be held on February 24, with approval by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi.
Sahu, who is the Vice-Chairman of Gaisilet block in the Bijepur Assembly constituency, would file his nomination papers on February 6, the last day of filing of the papers.
It may be mentioned that former MlA of the constituency Ripunath Seth was also in the race for the Congress ticket for the by-poll.
While the BJP has fielded Ashok Panigrahi for the by-poll, the ruling BJD had first announced its candidate Rita Sahu, widow of deceased MlS Subala Sahu, for the bye-election.
The Bijepur battle will be a virtual three-cornered affair between these major parties.