Punjab bypoll: Congress opts for Sikki

New Delhi, The Congress today decided to opt for former MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki for the Khadoor Sahib Assembly byelection, putting to rest speculation that it was reluctant to enter the poll arena.
The byelection was necessitated after Sikki, sitting MLA, resigned to protest various incidents of desecration.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi approved Sikki’s candidature for the February 13 byelection this evening. An official announcement is expected soon.
The SAD has fielded Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, son of Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, whom Sikki defeated in 2012. Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said the Congress was confident of taking on the Akalis and AAP’s absence had only emboldened it.