Cong consider fielding Capt Amarinder from Amritsar LS seat

Congress on Friday said it is "seriously considering" Captain Amarinder Singh as its candidate for the Amritsar parliamentary seat from where senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley is contesting his maiden election.

“The candidature of Amarinder Singh is being seriously considered,” a senior party functionary said when asked about the possibility of the former Punjab chief minister being fielded from Amritsar.

Singh had on Thursday made it clear that he did not want to contest from the seat and it will be a better if a local candidate is fielded from Amritsar.

He, had at the same time, said that he would abide by whatever decision the party takes.

Congress's general secretary Ambika Soni is also being considered as the party's candidate for Anandpur Sahib seat.

However, suspense remains over the Ludhiana seat held by Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari, who had taken ill and had to be admitted to a city hospital last week.

Sources said the party had cleared his name on Thursday but it was announced as it was not clear whether Tewari will be physically fit to contest or not.

Image: Captain Amarinder Singh