WB: Pranab's son Cong candidate in Lok Sabha by-poll

Abhijit Mukherjee, son of President Pranab Mukherjee, was on Friday chosen by the Congress as its candidate for the by-election for Jangipur Lok Sabha seat vacated by his father.

Fifty-two-year-old Abhijit is a party MLA from Nalhati constituency in Birbhum district of West Bengal.

Jangipur seat fell vacant after Pranab Mukherjee became President. He had represented the seat since 2004.

The All India Congress Committee announcement came on a day when the president is on a visit to his home state.

"Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the proposal for the candidature of Abhijit Mukherjee for the by-election to the Lok Sabha from Jangipur Parliamentary constituency, " a release by AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes said.