Electoral prospects of Congress in Delhi got a boost tonight after LJP announced withdrawal of its two candidates, including former deputy speaker of Assembly Shoaib Iqbal, with a commitment to support the Sonia Gandhi-led party.

However, Iqbal who is also sitting MLA from Matia Mahal in the walled city area, made an announcement of the withdrawals at a hurriedly-called press conference at Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence, a day after he decided to shift from Chandni Chowk Constituency to North-East Delhi seat.

“LJP will not field candidates in Delhi. Party chief Ramvilas Paswan has authorized me to take a decision with regard to Delhi. Our decision will ensure that secular forces are strengthened,” Iqbal said.

The Capital will get some more Bollywood glitter, with actor Sanjay Dutt and director Prakash Jha set to campaign for Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) candidate for Chandni Chowk seat Shoaib Iqbal next week.

Iqbal is the sitting MLA from Matia Mahal.

Denied the chance for a shot at the Lok Sabha by the Supreme Court, Dutt was made national general secretary of the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Thursday. LJP is fighting five Lok Sabha seats in Delhi in alliance with the SP and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal.

While Iqbal’s party will contest the Northeast Delhi, East Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi and Chandni Chowk seats, the LJP is yet to name the four other candidates. Sources said the names are still being finalised by the party high command and will be released on Sunday.

Both Bahujan Samaj Party and the LJP are eyeing the Muslim and Dalit votes.