New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS): The Congress on Tuesday announced Devti Karma as its candidate in the bypolls to Chhattisgarh's Dantewada (SC) assembly seat.

Interim President Sonia Gandhi has approved the candidature of Devti Karma for the ensuing by-election to the legislative assembly of Chhattisgarh from Dantewada-SC constituency, Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik said in a statement. 

According to Congress leaders, Chhattisgarh in charge P.L. Punia will undertake an extensive electioneering tour of Dantewada to ensure Karma's victory.

The Election Commission has announced the bypolls in Dantewada will be held on September 23 and counting of votes on September 27. 

The bypolls was necessitated due to the death of sitting MLA Bhima Mandavi, of the BJP, in a Maoist ambush. Mandavi, along with his three private security officers and driver of his vehicle, was killed in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Dantewada district on April 9.