Veteran Congress leader and MLA Satyanarayan Sharma, who was replaced as Raipur Lok Sabha nominee after being named for the contest, today said he never refused to fight election as claimed by state unit president Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel's statement that Sharma was replaced by Chhaya Verma because he refused to contest elections triggered protests from Congress workers, believed to be the supporters of Sharma, who vandalised the party office here today.
The irate protesters accused Baghel of acting as a BJP "agent" and demanded candidature of Sharma.
"Party's state president Bhupesh Baghel made a wrong statement that I refused to contest poll. It was party high command's decision to nominate me as the candidate and it was their decision to drop my candidature," Sharma told reporters tonight.
"My supporters were hurt by such a wrong statement," he added.
When asked whether the vandals were his supporters, Sharma evaded direct reply, saying, "Though my supporters were enraged, but I don't know whether they were present during the time of protest at Congress Bhawan or not."
Sharma said he had no hard feelings about his candidature being dropped. "I am happy with the decision of the party high command and will support any candidate my party proposes," he added.
In a flip flop, Congress first nominated Verma, a Kurmi leader, as party candidate for Raipur seat, but later replaced her with Sharma. Verma was later renominated to contest from Raipur seat last night.
