Congress party high-command has cleared the name of Pratibha Singh, wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, as its candidate for the Mandi Parliamentary by-election slated for June 23.

Pratibha would file her nomination on May 30. Earlier her name was recommended Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC).

Pratibha Singh had won from this seat in 2004 Lok Sabha polls. Pratibha Singh thanked Sonia Gandhi and the State Congress leadership for reposing faith in her and assured to win by-poll with the collective afford of Party cadre.

Mandi Parliamentary constituency is considered Congress strong bastion as party candidates have won record 11 times in the past and was defeated only four times.