In a dramatic move, former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler has decided to withdraw his nomination from the primaries of the North-East Delhi Parliamentary constituency. Tytler informed his decision to AICC general secretary in-charge of Delhi affairs Dr Shakeel Ahmad and Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh lovely and the Election Commission.
Insiders say that Tytler was forced to withdraw his nomination after senior party leaders objected and cited 1984 riot Sikh cases. Tytler’s candidature was withdrawn by the party during the last lok Sabha polls in 2009 due to protests over his alleged role in 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
On the other hand, with no other Congress member entering the contest, sitting MP from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken has already been unanimously declared in the party primary for the candidate for the coming lok Sabha polls. Primary for selecting the party nominee for the North-East lok Sabha seat, represented by Jai Prakash Aggarwal, will be held on March 11. Former MlA Rajesh lilothia is also in the fray. Sources said that it is learnt that party high command may repeat all candidates in the seven lok Sabha seats. Meanwhile, several former Congress leaders are keen to contest the lok Sabha polls this time despite anti-Congress wave in the Capital.
It is pertinent to mention that Sandeep Dikshit is the only applicant for East Delhi lok Sabha seat. Sitting MP Ramesh Kumar has again filed his application for South Delhi lok Sabha seat but there are two more applicants on this seat including former Delhi Assembly speaker Dr Yoganand Shastri and Chatar Singh.
Similarly, sitting MP from West Delhi Mahabal Mishra is the strongest contender on this seat but Delhi Congress vice-president SK Puri has also applied for this seat. Union Minister Kapil Sibal is a strong face on Chandni Chowk seat. On North West seat, sitting MP and Union Minister Krishna Tirath is the formidable candidate. But Sultanpuri MlA Jai Kishan has filed application here.