Former MP Rajni Patil is the Congress candidate for a Rajya Sabha by-poll in Maharashtra, the party said on Tuesday.The by-election has been caused following the death of Union Minister Vilasrao Deshumkh on August 14 last year. His term in Rajya Sabha was to expire on April 2, 2018. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the polling if any, will be held on January 12. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 5. Patil hails from Marathwada region to which Deshmukh belonged.