Malda MP's brother plans to contest polls

MALDA, Nov. 4: Mr Abu Naser Khan Choudhury, elder brother of Mr AH Khan Choudhury, the Malda MP, has expressed his willingness to contest from North Malda parliamentary constituency in the next Lok Sabha election. Mr Choudhury said he was ready to contest if the Congress High Command approved his candidature. “We have already sent a proposal to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh requesting him to contest from the ‘safe seat’ in northern part of Malda in coming parliament election. If he agrees to contest we would do our best to have him elected,” he said. “But as things stand now the political scenario remains uncertain. In case the PM or any other high profile Congress leader does not enter the fray from here, I am willing to contest provided the Congress president Mrs. Sonia Gandhi approves my nomination,” Mr Choudhury saidMr Naser Khan Choudhury had contested in Malda parliamentary seat against his elder bother and Congress stalwart late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury some years back. Yet, following ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury's death, the family members closed ranks in desperation to maintain the family grip in the district. Mr AH Khan Choudhury is all set to contest from the South Malda parliamentary seat in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. n SNS