Councillor David May, chairman of Angus Lib Dems commented: "I am delighted that we have adopted Sanjay as he has an excellent record of local campaigning and will be a first-class MP who will work hard for all the people in Angus."

Councillor Alison Andrews added: "I believe we have in Sanjay a candidate who would serve the people of Angus really well and fight for their best interests in Westminster."

Sanjay is married to a Fife girl and has a three-year-old son. He lives in Alyth, where he is secretary of the community council and chairman of the 'Alyth 2020' committee, consulting residents about the future of their town and how to make best use of a £2.5 million development fund.

A spokesman said: "A believer in strong local communities, Sanjay gets involved whenever he can. He is independent minded, responsive to others and gets to the heart of issues quickly. He is always willing to stand up for what he believes in. Working hard for his community and business customers he has promoted innovative, unconventional solutions at work, blogged for customer rights and championed residents' concerns with the council.

"As a small business owner himself, he is fully aware of the pressures they face when stifled by red tape and tax increases by a government hostile to small businesses.

"Having worked in the high pressure environment of the City, Sanjay will comfortably manage the demands of being an MP."

The spokesman concluded: "As a project manager, overseeing multi-million pound budgets, he needed to motivate colleagues, ease tensions and handle constantly changing and conflicting requirements. His time in the City has given him a rare insight into the current recession."

Mr Samani told us: "I was very honoured that the Angus Liberal Democrats selected me as the their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. I will be proud to represent them in the forthcoming Westminster General Election.

"I am looking forward to hearing from Angus residents about their concerns, campaigning on local issues on their behalf and championing Angus at Westminster.

"If elected, I would be independent minded, responsive to residents' concerns and will get to the heart of issues quickly. I will always stand up for what I believe is best for Angus residents and businesses.

"The Lib Dems will campaign against huge government waste on projects such as the NHS IT programme, which will be four years late and a staggering £8 billion over budget. I will promote children's welfare, say 'No to ID Cards' and support small businesses stifled by red tape and tax rises.

"I believe that Angus deserves an MP from a party that offers a genuine change of direction. One that understands how to get us out of recession, is free of the scandal of second home flipping and tax avoidance, and has real influence in Westminster."