Rajasthan polls: Krishna Poonia among 63 named in Cong's first list

The Congress party has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Rajasthan state assembly polls.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and some of his cabinet colleagues including Shanti Dhariwal figure in the list of 63 Congress candidates which was announced by the AICC late on Saturday.

While Gehlot has been fielded from his pocket borough of Sardarpura, Dhariwal gets a renomination from Kota North.

Assembly Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat has been fielded from Srimadhopur.

Former MPs Vishwendra Singh and Coloneal Sonaram have been made the party candidates from Deeg-Kumher and Baytoo respectively.

Sportswoman Krishna Poonia has been made the nominee from Sadalpur. Former PCC Chief BD Kalla will contest from Bikaner while senior leader Raghu Sharma is being fielded from Kekri.

In terms of current state ministers– Rajendra Pareek will contest from Sikar, Jitendra Singh from Khetri, BK Sharma from Hawamahal, AA Khan from Tijara, Ashok Bairwa from Khandar, and Mahendrajeet Singh from Bagidora.

Chairman of the Rajasthan Finance Commission BD Kalla has also been given a ticket and will contest the Bikaner (West) constituency.

Rajendra Gudha, who won the last elections as BSP candidate and later defected to Congress and became MoS, was made the candidate from the Udaipurwati constituency.

PTI