Shimla, Jan 9 (IANS) The Congress’ Himachal Pradesh unit might opt for former central minister Sukh Ram from the state’s Mandi parliamentary constituency, after present member Pratibha Singh announced she would not contest next time. Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief Kaul Singh Thakur Friday told reporters that Pratibha Singh, wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, would not contest the forthcoming general elections, due to personal reasons.

Thakur indicated that former minister Sukh Ram has expressed his willingness to contest from Mandi and his name is among the contenders. Sukh Ram has represented the Mandi seat in the past.

Sukh Ram had to resign as the central telecommunications minister in the wake of a financial scandal involving purchase of telecom equipment from a Hyderabad-based private firm, and was sentenced in 2002 by a CBI Special Court to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.200,000.