Shimla, Oct 21 : A total of 11 candidates have filed nomination papers for the by-elections from two assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, a senior state poll official said here Wednesday.

"Eleven candidates have filed the nomination papers for two assembly constituencies. On the last day (Wednesday) of filing papers, five candidates filed nominations," state Chief Electoral Officer Anil Khachi told IANS.

Elections from two constituencies - Rohru and Jawali - became necessary after the sitting legislators Virbhadra Singh and Rajan Sushant respectively contested and won the Lok Sabha elections in May.

The main contest is between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress has fielded former minister Sujan Singh Pathania against the BJP's Baldev Raj Chaudhary from Jawali in Kangra district.

From Rohru in Shimla district, the BJP has pitted Khushi Ram Balnath against Congress' Manjit Singh.

The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is Oct 24 and polling is slated for Nov 7. (IANS)