Countering criticism that Congress does not have big political faces in Rajnandgaon to counter incumbent chief minister Raman Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece Karuna Shukla said, “The party has many faces and I am one of them.”

However, Shukla shied away from making any remarks on who the chief minister contenders could be if Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh.

Congress has fielded Shukla in Rajnandgaon constituency against Singh, who is contesting for a fourth term as chief minister and a third from Rajnandgaon seat.

“I am being an outsider is a farce being spread by BJP. I am a Congress worker for many years and worked in Rajnandgaon,” Shukla said.

While there were multiple local contenders in Rajnandgaon for a ticket against Singh, but Congress chose Shukla, who had earlier contested and lost from Bilaspur in 2013.

Her nomination this time has displeased many local party workers who are reportedly making little efforts to campaign for Shukla in the constituency and this is expected to work against Congress’ prospects in the region.

But, Shukla is confident to make advantage of the anti-incumbency against Singh, “CM's tenure has been about commissions and corruption. CM hasn't fulfilled his promises of a university here, there is no industry or job opportunities in Rajnandgaon. People want change.”

Being out of power for 15 years in Chhattisgarh, this assembly elections is being seen as a fight for survival in the state politics.

Rajnandgaon is expected to be an interesting contest as both Singh and Shukla are proteges of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

First Published:Nov 2, 2018 8:37 PM IST