Chhattisgarh: Congress retains all ministers, benches 8 MLAs in first list

The Congress party in Chhattisgarh has announced its first list of 30 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. The list includes all 12 members of the Bhupesh Baghel ministry, but drops eight legislators and replaces them with new faces. The party has also fielded state party president Deepak Baij and other prominent leaders in an effort to retain power. The first phase of voting is scheduled for November 7. The Congress is yet to name a candidate for the Jagdalpur constituency.